urn

IPA/ɜːn/
KK[ˈɚn]IPA/ɜːrn/

urn — noun

  • urnsingular
  • urnsplural

1. a container that is shaped like a vase and rests on a narrow base, used either a

1.nounB2
Definition

a container that is shaped like a vase and rests on a narrow base, used either as a garden ornament or to keep a person's cremated remains.

Example

An antique stone urn stood at the entrance to the royal garden.

collocation: stone urn, garden urn

After the ceremony, Kemi's family placed her urn in the family tomb.

possessive form: person's urn for cremation context

Common collocations
  • stone urn
  • marble urn
  • bronze urn
  • clay urn
  • garden urn
  • funeral urn
  • cremation urn
  • urn of ashes
  • place an urn
  • urn on a pedestal
Synonyms
  • vase

    a vase is usually smaller, used for cut flowers, and does not have a lid; an urn is typically larger and may have a pedestal and lid.

  • jar

    a jar is wide-mouthed, usually made of glass or pottery, and used for storing food rather than for decoration or ashes.

  • cinerary urn

    a formal or archaeological term specifically for a container that holds cremated remains; less common in everyday speech.

Grammar Patterns

[material] + urn

urn + of + [substance] (e.g., urn of ashes)

Usage Note

Frequently modified by a material noun (stone, marble, bronze, clay) or a purpose adjective (funeral, cremation, garden, decorative). The funerary sense typically uses a possessive or the phrase 'urn of ashes.'

Common Mistakes

She put fresh flowers in an urn.
She put fresh flowers in a vase.
In everyday conversation, 'vase' is the usual word for a flower container; 'urn' implies a heavier, pedestal-based vessel and is less common for ordinary flower arrangements.

2. a metal container, typically large and cylindrical, with a lid or tap, used to p

2.nounB2
Definition

a metal container, typically large and cylindrical, with a lid or tap, used to prepare and serve hot drinks like tea or coffee in large quantities.

Example

Aylin filled the tea urn with hot water before the guests arrived.

collocation: fill the [tea/coffee] urn

The coffee urn in the conference room held enough for fifty people.

Common collocations
  • tea urn
  • coffee urn
  • hot water urn
  • fill the urn
  • urn with a tap
  • urn at a buffet
  • electric urn
  • stainless steel urn
Synonyms
  • dispenser

    a general term that can refer to any serving container (water dispenser, soap dispenser); 'urn' specifically implies a heated drink container.

  • kettle

    a kettle is smaller, used to boil water, and typically not used for serving; an urn serves already-prepared drinks.

  • samovar

    a Russian metal urn used for heating water for tea, often ornately decorated; 'urn' is the broader, less culturally specific term.

Grammar Patterns

[drink] + urn (e.g., tea urn, coffee urn)

fill + the + urn

Usage Note

Common in event or institutional settings — conference rooms, weddings, churches, school cafeterias — where a large volume of a single hot drink is served at once. The type of drink is typically specified before the word (tea urn, coffee urn, hot chocolate urn).

Common Mistakes

I poured a cup of tea from the kettle at the buffet.
I poured a cup of tea from the urn at the buffet.
A kettle is smaller and used for boiling water; an urn is larger and used for holding and serving a prepared hot drink.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The word 'urn' overlaps with 'vase' — both are vessels of similar shape — but an urn is typically larger, rests on a narrower pedestal or stem, and often has a lid. 'Vase' is the everyday word for a flower container; using 'urn' for flowers sounds overly formal or antique. 'Jar' differs in shape and function: jars are wider, shorter, and used for storage, not display or ceremony. 'Cinerary urn' is a technical archaeological or funeral-industry term for a container holding cremated remains; it is rarely used outside those fields. In everyday language, we simply say 'urn' for both garden ornaments and ash containers. For example: you would put flowers in a 'vase' on the dining table, but set an 'urn' of ash on the mantelpiece or place a stone 'urn' next to the garden gate.

vase ↗jar ↗cinerary urn

Common collocations

Phrases

  • urn full of
  • urn with a lid
  • urn on a pedestal

Prepositions

  • in an urn
  • from an urn
  • into an urn
  • out of an urn

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'urn' comes from Latin 'urna,' meaning a water jar or vessel for ashes. It is related to 'urere' (to burn), reflecting the long-standing connection between urns and cremation. The word passed through Old French 'urne' before entering Middle English. The two modern meanings — a decorative vase or ash container, and a large heated beverage dispenser — both maintain the core idea of a vessel that holds something. The beverage sense developed in the 19th century as large heated containers became common in public dining and event settings.