Synonyms

pallbearer

American

[pawl-bair-er] / ˈpɔlˌbɛər ər /

noun

one of several persons who carry or attend the coffin at a funeral.

pallbearer British

/ ˈpɔːlˌbɛərə /

noun

a person who carries or escorts the coffin at a funeral

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pallbearer

First recorded in 1700–10; pall ¹ + bearer

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.

Whittaker caught a flight to L.A. and was at the senator’s hospital bedside when he died and then served as a pallbearer at the funeral.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

At the dog park, he turned strangers into fast friends, joining regulars for dinner and even serving as a pallbearer at one of their funerals.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2024

She also discussed Darcey's role as a pallbearer at the service, saying: "She insisted on doing it and I thought it was a beautiful thing."

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2024

Kara-Murza had been a friend of Sen. John McCain and was a pallbearer at his 2018 funeral.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 17, 2023

Hale served again as a pallbearer, holding aloft the casket of his friend.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023