Word
urn
US/ˈɝn/
UK/ˈɜːn/
Definition
n. a large vase or container, usually with a base. It is often used to hold the ashes of a person who has died or to serve large amounts of tea or coffee.
n. a large decorative vase or vessel, typically with a pedestal or foot. Often used for funerary purposes to hold cremated remains or as a large-capacity container for dispensing hot beverages.
Examples
“The family kept the bronze urn on the mantelpiece.”
“During the conference, the hotel staff placed a large silver urn of hot coffee in the lobby for the guests.”
“The museum's collection includes several Greek funerary urns, each intricately painted with scenes depicting the journey to the underworld.”
Examples
simple
“The family kept the bronze urn on the mantelpiece.”
contextual
“During the conference, the hotel staff placed a large silver urn of hot coffee in the lobby for the guests.”
complex
“The museum's collection includes several Greek funerary urns, each intricately painted with scenes depicting the journey to the underworld.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of cremation or large-scale catering.
Real-World Examples
“Sadly, the urn holding the victim’s parent’s ashes was also taken,” Hamilton Police said in a Monday news release.” “Already interred: a human figure cast in hardened dirt, and a funerary urn.” Etymology
From Middle English urne, from Old French urne, from Latin urna (“vessel”). Doublet of urna.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/urn