Sepulcher: meaning, definitions and examples

Mostly used in literary or historical contexts and can refer to a small room or monument, usually made of stone, where someone is buried.

• The ancient sepulcher was discovered by archaeologists

General term used in various contexts, from everyday language to historical discussions, to describe a burial place which can be above or below ground.

• The historian entered the ancient tomb to uncover its secrets

Commonly used in everyday language to refer to the place where someone is buried in the ground. It can have a general or personal tone.

• She visited her grandmother's grave every Sunday

Used to describe large, stately tombs, often above ground, intended for important or wealthy individuals.

• The mausoleum of the ancient king stood at the center of the cemetery

Please note this word is repeated in the list. For its context and examples, refer to the first entry in this list.

This is a more general and everyday term which means placing a body in the ground and covering it with earth. It is the most commonly used term for ordinary funeral practices.

• They decided to bury their grandfather in the local cemetery.
• We buried the time capsule in the backyard for future generations.

This is a formal term for burying a body in the ground or placing it in a tomb, often used in legal or official contexts. It conveys a sense of respect and dignity.

• The soldier was interred with full military honors.
• They interred the remains in a peaceful countryside graveyard.

To entomb means to place a dead body in a tomb, often implied to be an elaborate or grand one. It suggests a formal or ceremonial action and can be used metaphorically to imply something being trapped or sealed away.

• The king was entombed in a magnificent pyramid.
• The treasure was entombed deep beneath the fortress.