columbarium

noun

col·​um·​bar·​i·​um ˌkä-ləm-ˈber-ē-əm How to pronounce columbarium (audio)
plural columbaria ˌkä-ləm-ˈber-ē-ə How to pronounce columbarium (audio)
Synonyms of columbariumnext
1
: a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns
2
: a recess in a columbarium

Examples of columbarium in a Sentence

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But on a dreary Sunday afternoon last fall, bouquets of white roses and blue hydrangeas enlivened the Spanish marble columbarium where Drakeo the Ruler is interred. — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 Regent Barbara Weitz suggested building a columbarium under the football field where fans could have their ashes inurned as part of Memorial Stadium’s next renovation. — Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024 Mei and Shing casually dismiss Angie’s insistence that Pat wanted to have her ashes scattered at sea, instead heeding the advice of their fortuneteller, arranging for a traditional ritual and internment in a columbarium. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 In 2019, the group bought a columbarium with 96 niches to inter ashes for other kinds of service dogs. — Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 29 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for columbarium

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, dovecote, from columba dove

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of columbarium was in 1846

Rhymes for columbarium

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Cite this Entry

“Columbarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columbarium. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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