coffin

1 of 2

noun

cof·​fin ˈkȯ-fən 

: a box or chest for burying a corpse compare casket

coffin

2 of 2

verb

coffined; coffining; coffins

transitive verb

: to enclose in or as if in a coffin

Synonyms

Noun

• bier
• box
• casket
• pall
• sarcophagus

Examples of coffin in a Sentence

Noun

coffins are said to be the preferred sleeping places of vampires

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The dumpster fire that was The Ones Who Live, meant to be the triumphant return of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his reunion with Michonne (Danai Gurira) was in many ways the final nail in the coffin. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

The two eventually settled out of court, but tapes that surfaced of Combs physically assaulting Cassie in a hotel lobby were the nail in the coffin for the producer. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 22 Oct. 2024

Ever since Count Orlok emerged in 1922’s Nosferatu, vampire movies have never fully retreated into their coffins. —James Grebey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

What to expect: A DJ set with Halloween tunes, coffin photo op, makeup tent and several pop-up bars serving cocktails, cold brews and Hardcharged Tea by Voodoo Ranger. —Maxwell Millington, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cofyn, coffyn "basket, hamper" (in translations from Latin), "chest, box," borrowed from Anglo-French cofin, coffin "basket, chest, container," borrowed from Latin cophinus "large basket, hamper," borrowed from Greek kóphinos "large basket," of pre-Greek substratal origin

Verb

derivative of coffin entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1525, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing coffin

• a nail in the/someone's coffin
• coffin bone
• coffin corner
• coffin nail

Kids Definition

coffin

noun

cof·​fin

ˈkȯ-fən

: a box or case to hold a dead body