cremate

verb

cre·mate ˈkrē-ˌmāt kri-ˈmāt

cremated; cremating

Synonyms of cremate

: to subject to cremation

especially : to reduce (a dead body) to mostly tiny bits of bones resembling ash through exposure to flame and intense heat followed by pulverization of bone fragments

cremate a dead body

Examples of cremate in a Sentence

He wants to be cremated when he dies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

If relatives aren’t found, the body is cremated and the ashes are stored for three years. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2026 While one of the dogs was already cremated by the time the deaths were discovered, many of the owners and services were able to pause the cremations. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 It was discovered that two of the dogs were cremated, and their cause of death was not revealed because they were cremated before authorities were alerted. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026 Investigators intercepted the bodies of nine of the dogs before they were cremated. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cremate

Word History

Etymology

Latin crematus, past participle of cremare to burn up, cremate

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cremate was in 1874

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

crémant

cremate

cremation

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cremate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cremate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cremate

verb

cre·mate ˈkrē-ˌmāt kri-ˈmāt

cremated; cremating

: to burn (as a dead body) to ashes

cremation

kri-ˈmā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

cremate

transitive verb

cre·mate ˈkrē-ˌmāt kri-ˈ

cremated; cremating

: to subject to cremation

especially : to reduce (a dead body) to mostly tiny bits of bones resembling ash through exposure to flame and intense heat followed by pulverization of bone fragments

cremate

verb

Examples of cremate in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

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