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”; see -ate ¹

Explanation

When you cremate something, you burn it until only ashes are left. The word cremate is most often used to describe the ceremonial burning of dead bodies. If you burn a grilled cheese sandwich and there is nothing but black ashes left in the pan, you can say you cremated it. Usually, however, people use the verb cremate when they're talking about a practical or ceremonial burning of a body. Many people are cremated after dying, with their ashy remains either buried or scattered in a beautiful place. The Latin root word is cremare, "to burn or consume by fire."

Example Sentences

I learned that in August 2023 from a mortician preparing to cremate my mother.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

Those who opt to bury or cremate on their own pay a funeral home.

From Slate • Oct. 3, 2024

“I’m never going to get a dime from them, so, I don’t know, it’s a little frustrating,” Crystina Page, who hired the funeral home to cremate her son’s remains in 2019, told the Associated Press.

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2024

Before the 90-day waiting period is over, mortuaries are not allowed to embalm or cremate people without authorization from their next of kin, so the cooler is the only way to keep remains preserved.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2024

They had to cremate the bull for fear the disease would spread.

From Thy Rocks and Rills by Gilbert, Robert E.

Related Words

• char
• incinerate