noun
Uncommon
urn
urn
Urn (noun) means a decorative vase, often with a rounded body and narrow neck, set on a footed base. Example: “A stone urn stood at each side of the garden entrance.”
noun
1
A decorative vase, often with a rounded body and narrow neck, set on a footed base.
"A stone urn stood at each side of the garden entrance."
2
A container used to hold the ashes of someone who has been cremated.
"They scattered her ashes from the urn over the coastline she loved."
3
A large metal container used to brew or serve hot drinks like tea or coffee in bulk.
"The community hall kept a huge tea urn bubbling all afternoon."
How to use urn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA vase-shaped container — used for decoration, for holding cremated ashes, or for brewing large quantities of tea or coffee.
Common pairings
a funeral urn
a tea urn
an ornamental urn
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Word forms
- Plural
- urns
- Third person singular
- urns
- Past tense
- urned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A stone _____ stood at each side of the garden entrance.
Etymology
From Latin urna, "vessel."
Rhymes for urn
See all rhymes for urn →Frequently asked questions
What does “urn” mean?
The word “urn” means a decorative vase, often with a rounded body and narrow neck, set on a footed base. In plain terms, a vase-shaped container — used for decoration, for holding cremated ashes, or for brewing large quantities of tea or coffee.
How do you pronounce “urn”?
“Urn” is pronounced urn (/ɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “urn” in a sentence?
Here is “urn” used in a sentence: “A stone urn stood at each side of the garden entrance.”
What part of speech is “urn”?
“Urn” is a noun.
Where does the word “urn” come from?
The word “urn” comes from Latin. From Latin urna, "vessel.".
Is “urn” a common word?
“Urn” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “urn” have?
“Urn” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a decorative vase, often with a rounded body and narrow neck, set on a footed base.
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