urn

noun

ˈərn How to pronounce urn (audio)
Synonyms of urnnext
1
: a vessel that is typically an ornamental vase on a pedestal and that is used for various purposes (such as preserving the ashes of the dead after cremation)
2
: a closed vessel usually with a spigot for serving a hot beverage
a coffee urn

Examples of urn in a Sentence

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.
Its oversized stone urns and four Doric columns, along with a Greek key frieze, give the symmetrical residence historic gravitas. — Mark David, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026 The cruise line submitted a subsequent report detailing a range of corrective actions, from rewashing coffee urns to discarding the tray of bread where the fly was found. — Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Incorporating a shelf above the wall cabinets as an integrated part of the top molding offers a practical solution for displaying larger objects or urns, notes interior designer Caren Rideau. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 11 Aug. 2026 Most of the Winter Wolves don’t survive the assault on the castle wall, and those that climb the ladders are greeted with urns of hot oil. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urn

Word History

Etymology

Middle English urne, from Latin urna

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of urn was in the 14th century

Rhymes for urn

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Browse Nearby Words

urman
urn
Urnatella
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Urn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urn. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

urn

noun
ˈərn How to pronounce urn (audio)
1
: a container that has the form of a vase on a base and often is used for keeping the ashes of the dead
2
: a closed vessel usually with a faucet for serving a hot beverage
coffee urn

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