incinerate

[ in-sin-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·cin·er·at·ed, in·cin·er·at·ing.

1. to burn or reduce to ashes; cremate.

incinerate

/ ɪnˈsɪnəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to burn up completely; reduce to ashes

Derived Forms

• inˌcinerˈation, noun

Other Words From

• in·ciner·ation noun
• unin·ciner·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incinerate¹

1545–55; < Medieval Latin incinerātus (past participle of incinerāre ) < Latin in- in- ² + ciner- (stem of cinis ) ashes + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of incinerate¹

C16: from Medieval Latin incinerāre, from Latin in- ² + cinis ashes

Example Sentences

The rest ends up being incinerated, sent to landfills, or discarded on the landscape, where they are often flushed into rivers or out to sea.

From Los Angeles Times

Syringes in hospitals are thrown away and incinerated after they have been used.

From BBC

Nearly half of the rubbish produced in UK homes, including increasing amounts of plastic, is now being incinerated.

From BBC

California does not track data on how much of this incinerated waste was plastic, according to CalRecycle, the state agency that oversees waste management.

From Los Angeles Times

They are then either handed to the police or incinerated.

From BBC

Related Words

• consume
• cremate
• ignite
• scorch
• torch