cremate

American  

[kree-meyt] / ˈkri meɪt /

verb (used with object)

cremated, cremating

1. to reduce (a dead body) to ashes by fire, especially as a funeral rite.

2. to consume by fire; burn.

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cremate British  

/ krɪˈmeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to burn up (something, esp a corpse) and reduce to ash

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Other Word Forms

• cremation noun
• cremationism noun
• cremationist noun
• uncremated adjective

Etymology

Origin of cremate

First recorded in 1870–75; from Latin cremātus, past participle of cremāre “to burn to ashes”; -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Mitchell's family had been led to believe he had been cremated in a private ceremony and were "incredulous" when police told them his body was still at the funeral home, the jury was told.

From BBC

The death certificate also confirms that the Canadian-born star has been cremated.

From Los Angeles Times

It was recovered from a large pottery vessel containing cremated human remains, with an X on the lid.

From BBC

Tributes have been pouring in for veteran BBC journalist Sir Mark Tully who has been cremated in the Indian capital, Delhi, a day after he died at the age of 90.

From BBC

In the first few minutes, somebody needs to know whether you want to be buried or cremated, and who is going to pay for it.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• char
• incinerate