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Definition of urn

urn

/ɜːrn/
urn

Plural:urns
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urn Lexical Profile

urn Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A tall, rounded vase with a base and often a stem, specifically used for preserving the ashes of a cremated person.

Example

"After the cremation ceremony, the family placed her grandfather's brass urn in a designated niche at the columbarium."


2

A large metal container equipped with a spigot, used for boiling water or brewing and serving hot beverages like coffee or tea.

Example

"The hotel staff set up a large silver coffee urn in the lobby for the conference attendees."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for urn

Word Nuance & Usage

The noun 'urn' is a homophone of the verb 'earn' (to acquire through effort or labor), which can occasionally cause spelling confusion despite their unrelated meanings.

• Rhymes for urn

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'urne', from Old French, derived from Latin 'urna' (a water jar, vessel for drawing water), possibly connected to 'urere' (to burn) referring to a vessel made of baked clay.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Urn. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/urn
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