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

Do you want a religious service, for example, and do you wish to be cremated, buried or some other form of disposition?

From MarketWatch

First reported by the Scottish Sun, the family who thought they were cremating their loved one are said to be inconsolable.

From BBC

During their work, Guard Archaeology found the urns with the cremated bones of at least eight individuals all placed there in one mass burial event some time between 1439 and 1287 BC.

From BBC

She said Mr Mitchell's family were "incredulous" when they learned his body had not been cremated.

From BBC

He also decided to create more meaningful memorials—by incorporating cremated ashes into pottery glazes.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• char
• incinerate