cremate

[kree-meyt]

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.

cremate

/ krɪˈmeɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cremate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cremate¹

C19: from Latin cremāre

Example Sentences

When the child died, it is alleged they initially thought of cremating the body in the back garden of their home before contacting a funeral director.

From BBC

The pair, who were cremated following a double funeral, had both survived previous attempts on their lives.

From BBC

"I'm appealing to anyone with concerns regarding the handling of cremated remains or pre-paid funeral plans with this former funeral directors to come forward."

From BBC

The company would cremate the parts of his body that weren't used and return his ashes free of charge.

From BBC

"If that is not possible - because the worst case scenario is that he has been cremated as somebody else - then we need to know that in order to move on," she added.

From BBC

Related Words

• char 
• incinerate