embalm

verb

em·​balm im-ˈbä(l)m 

em-

embalmed; embalming; embalms

transitive verb

1

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

2

: to fill with sweet odors : perfume

3

: to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve

embalm a hero's memory

4

: to fix in a static condition

embalmer noun

embalmment

im-ˈbä(l)m-mənt 

em-

noun

Examples of embalm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unless you’ve recently been embalmed, the prospect of Josh Allen squaring off against Dan Campbell’s charges in February is positively invigorating. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024

The 186,000-page Code of Federal Regulations is where rules from the daily Federal Register are embalmed. —Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

The body is taken to the funeral home, where it’s embalmed, unless the family chooses a cremation. —Mike Winters,gene Kim, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2024

An apprentice at a South Nashville funeral home, Melissa Willis found herself in an embalming room in 2018 with the body of a guy in his 20s who died by overdose. —Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm — more at balm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

embalm

verb

em·​balm im-ˈbä(l)m 

: to treat a dead body with special preparations to preserve it from decay

embalmer noun

embalmment

-mənt 

noun

Medical Definition

embalm

transitive verb

em·​balm

im-ˈbä(l)m, New England also -ˈbȧm

: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay

embalmer noun

embalmment

-ˈbä(l)m-mənt 

noun