urn

American  

[urn] / ɜrn /

noun

1. a large or decorative vase, especially one with an ornamental foot or pedestal.

2. a vase for holding the ashes of the cremated dead.

3. a large metal container with a spigot, used for making or serving tea or coffee in quantity.

4. Botany. the spore-bearing part of the capsule of a moss, between lid and seta.

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urn British  

/ ɜːn /

noun

1. a vaselike receptacle or vessel, esp a large bulbous one with a foot

2. a vase used as a receptacle for the ashes of the dead

3. a large vessel, usually of metal, with a tap, used for making and holding tea, coffee, etc

4. botany the spore-producing capsule of a moss

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Other Word Forms

• urnlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of urn

1325–75; Middle English urne < Latin urna earthen vessel for ashes, water, etc., akin to urceus pitcher, Greek hýrchē jar

Example Sentences

By the time the next series against Australia starts in summer 2027 it will be 12 years since England last won the urn.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

The hosts completed a five-wicket win at the Sydney Cricket Ground after lunch on day five for a thumping 4-1 series victory, retaining the famous urn for at least another 18 months.

From Barron's • Jan. 8, 2026

In Adelaide, Cummins bowled magnificently and was the captain to seal the urn.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

It snapped a 15-year winless streak in Australia but came too late to save the series with the hosts retaining the urn by winning in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.

From Barron's • Jan. 3, 2026

I even imagine that this tree was once a person, some Decker who was cremated and had asked to have their ashes packed into a biodegradable urn with a tree seed to give it life.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Related Words

• container
• jar
• pot
• vase