urn

noun

ˈərn 

1

: a vessel that is typically an ornamental vase on a pedestal and that is used for various purposes (such as preserving the ashes of the dead after cremation)

2

: a closed vessel usually with a spigot for serving a hot beverage

a coffee urn

Examples of urn in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When her fight-or-flight instincts kick in, Alex quite rightly beats the daylights out of him with a silver coffee urn. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025

The antique-esque finish of these urns is realistic enough to make guests do a double take, and ask: Is this vintage? —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Mar. 2025

Honorary urn bearers were the Hutchinson Fire Department. —Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025

The time capsules in the urns won’t be opened until 2044. —Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English urne, from Latin urna

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for urn

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern

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Kids Definition

urn

noun

ˈərn 

1

: a container that has the form of a vase on a base and often is used for keeping the ashes of the dead

2

: a closed vessel usually with a faucet for serving a hot beverage

coffee urn