mor·tu·ary
ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē 
-chü-ˌer-
1
: of or relating to the burial of the dead
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of death
Examples of mortuary in a Sentence
Adjective
the huge department store's mortuary atmosphere in its sad, last weeks of operation
Recent Examples on the Web
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 June 2024
Jonathan Michael, a former NHS chief executive who led the inquiry, ultimately recommended surveillance cameras be installed in the mortuary and post-mortem room, and that non-mortuary workers and contractors be accompanied to the mortuary by another staff member.
—Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2023
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2025
Statues of Hatshepsut were discovered during excavations of the mortuary temples of tombs of Deir el-Bahri in Luxor in the 1920s—but many appeared badly damaged.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortuary
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Adjective
This is the first time that the physical remains of twins have been identified specifically in an ancient Maya sacrificial or mortuary context.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 12 June 2024
Jonathan Michael, a former NHS chief executive who led the inquiry, ultimately recommended surveillance cameras be installed in the mortuary and post-mortem room, and that non-mortuary workers and contractors be accompanied to the mortuary by another staff member.
—Lawrence Richard, Fox News, 29 Nov. 2023
Noun
Even though the flower-burial hypothesis didn’t play out, Pomeroy says the team was able to learn more about Neanderthal mortuary practices.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 30 June 2025
Statues of Hatshepsut were discovered during excavations of the mortuary temples of tombs of Deir el-Bahri in Luxor in the 1920s—but many appeared badly damaged.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortuary
Cite this Entry
“Mortuary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortuary. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mortuary
1 of 2 noun
mor·tu·ary
ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē
plural mortuaries
: a place in which the bodies of the dead are kept until burial
especially
: funeral home
mortuary
2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to death or burial of the dead
Medical Definition
mortuary
1 of 2 adjective
mor·tu·ary
ˈmȯr-chə-ˌwer-ē
1
: of or relating to the burial of the dead
2
: of, relating to, or characteristic of death
mortuary
2 of 2 noun
plural mortuaries
: a place in which dead bodies are kept and prepared for burial or cremation
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