cremate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to reduce (a dead body) to ashes by fire, especially as a funeral rite.
-
to consume by fire; burn.
verb
Other Word Forms
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."
Vocabulary lists containing cremate
The Devil's Arithmetic
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Bridge to Terabithia
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Mockingbird
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Those who opt to bury or cremate on their own pay a funeral home.
From Slate • Oct. 3, 2024
Nuñez and his partner, Nejyredth Valasquez, run We Care Pet Cremations, which offers to pick up and cremate pets and return the ashes in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Kern and Orange counties.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2024
When Cheryl Irvin’s 72-year-old husband died at their home near Vancouver from a heart attack Feb. 25, she expected to obtain his death certificate, cremate him and hold a memorial within a week.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024
Peter Welburn used Legacy Independent Funeral Directors to cremate his wife, of 50 years, when she died in December.
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2024
They were going to cremate the body on the outskirts of the town, on the beach that faced the East.
From Luna Benamor by Goldberg, Isaac
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
