crematory
crematory Lexical Profile
crematory Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A building or establishment that houses a furnace for cremating deceased bodies.
"The funeral home operates its own private crematory on the edge of the cemetery."
North American A specialized high-temperature furnace or chamber used to cremate human or animal remains.
"Modern crematories are designed to operate with minimal emissions and high thermal efficiency."
• adjective
Relating to or used for the cremation of the dead.
"Archaeologists uncovered several ancient crematory urns at the burial site."
Word Nuance & Usage
In American English, 'crematory' often refers specifically to the furnace chamber itself or the building housing it, whereas 'crematorium' is preferred in British English and for facilities that include a chapel for funeral services.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century from the Latin 'crematorium' or 'crematorius', derived from the verb 'cremare', meaning to burn or consume by fire.