crematoria

IPA/kɹɪmɐtˈɔːɹiə/
KK[krimətˈɔriə]IPA/kriːmətˈɔːriːə/

crematoria — noun

1. the plural form of crematorium — used when referring to more than one building w

1.nounB1
Definition

the plural form of crematorium — used when referring to more than one building where dead bodies are burnt, usually as part of a funeral ceremony.

Example

Bao checked the opening hours of both crematoria before arranging the service.

plural form as countable noun with determiner 'both'

The two crematoria in the district share a single memorial garden between them.

crematoria + 'two' showing plural agreement

Common collocations
  • both crematoria
  • two/three crematoria
  • most crematoria
  • modern crematoria
  • local crematoria

Grammar Patterns

crematoria + plural verb

Usage Note

Unlike regular English nouns, crematorium takes the Latin plural ending -a instead of -s. The regular plural 'crematoriums' is also accepted but less common.

Common Mistakes

The city built a new crematoria last year.
The city built a new crematorium last year.
'crematoria' is the plural form; use 'crematorium' for a single building.

Word family

Common collocations

Phrases

  • build crematoria
  • operate crematoria
  • visit crematoria

Prepositions

  • crematoria in [area]
  • crematoria across [region]

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Crematoria is the Latin plural of crematorium, which comes from the Latin word cremare (to burn). English borrowed the word directly from Latin and kept its original plural form rather than using the regular English -s ending, though 'crematoriums' is also now accepted.