columbarium

noun

col·​um·​bar·​i·​um ˌkä-ləm-ˈber-ē-əm How to pronounce columbarium (audio)
plural columbaria ˌkä-ləm-ˈber-ē-ə How to pronounce columbarium (audio)
1
: a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns
2
: a recess in a columbarium

Examples of columbarium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The crematory, which was built in the fifties, shares a building with the executive offices, a columbarium, and two modern chapels. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Remains end up either in a niche purchased in the columbarium, or sprinkled on the cemetery's Memorial Green set aside for that purpose. Heller McAlpin, NPR, 28 Apr. 2025 But on a dreary Sunday afternoon last fall, bouquets of white roses and blue hydrangeas enlivened the Spanish marble columbarium where Drakeo the Ruler is interred. Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 Regent Barbara Weitz suggested building a columbarium under the football field where fans could have their ashes inurned as part of Memorial Stadium’s next renovation. Jayna Bardahl, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for columbarium

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, dovecote, from columba dove

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of columbarium was in 1846

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Cite this Entry

“Columbarium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columbarium. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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