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)
Synonyms of columbariumnext
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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When Patrick’s father died, two years ago, Patrick and his siblings divided his ashes among themselves, and a portion rested in a columbarium; the urn was small. Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 The popularity of cremation brought us the contemporary columbarium, with its above-ground niches for urns. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 14 Apr. 2026 Later, the victims’ ashes were interred in a modest columbarium that the priest had built in a Catholic cemetery. Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 And the columbarium would have been open to all Irvine residents, with priority given to veterans. Victoria Le, Oc Register, 16 Jan. 2026 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 4 May. 2026.

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