noun

bereavement

bih-REEV-muhnt

Bereavement (noun) means the experience of losing a close family member or friend to death, and the grief that follows. Example: “The company grants five days of paid bereavement leave.”

noun

The experience of losing a close family member or friend to death, and the grief that follows.

"The company grants five days of paid bereavement leave."

"Bereavement can affect sleep, appetite, and concentration for months."

How to use bereavement

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe state and process of grieving after someone close to you dies.

Common pairings

bereavement leave bereavement counseling sudden bereavement

Word forms

bereavements plural

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The company grants five days of paid _____ leave.

Etymology

Built from the verb bereave ("to deprive of, especially by death") plus the noun-forming suffix -ment.

Synonyms

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mourning

Related words

grief mourning

Rhymes for bereavement

cement element clement movement pavement tenement inclement abatement amusement statement agreement excrement

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bereavement” mean?

The word “bereavement” means the experience of losing a close family member or friend to death, and the grief that follows. In plain terms, the state and process of grieving after someone close to you dies.

How do you pronounce “bereavement”?

“Bereavement” is pronounced bih-REEV-muhnt (/bɪˈriːvmənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “bereavement” in a sentence?

Here is “bereavement” used in a sentence: “The company grants five days of paid bereavement leave.”

What part of speech is “bereavement”?

“Bereavement” is a noun.

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