Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large container for serving a hot beverage: An "urn" is a large, often metal, pot with a tap, used for making and serving coffee or tea, typically in a communal setting.
   • A decorative or ceremonial vase: An "urn" is a vase, usually with a pedestal or foot, often used for decorative purposes or as a container for the ashes of a cremated person.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The coffee urn in the office lobby is always full in the morning.
  • The ancient Greek urn on display was beautifully painted with scenes from mythology.
  • After the cremation, his ashes were placed in a marble urn.

Advanced Usage

• "Funeral urn" or "cremation urn": A specific type of urn designed to hold cremated remains.

  • They chose a simple wooden funeral urn for their grandfather.

• "Tea urn" or "coffee urn": Specifies the urn's use for serving these specific beverages.

  • The volunteers set up a large tea urn for the community event.

Variants and Related Words

• Urnful (n): The amount contained in an urn.
  • They drank an urnful of coffee during the long meeting.

Synonyms

• Vase: (for the decorative/ceremonial meaning) A decorative container, typically used for holding flowers.
• Pot: (for the beverage meaning) A container for cooking or holding liquids.
• Vessel: A hollow container, especially one used to hold liquid.

Related Phrases

• "To urn" (verb, rare/archaic): To place in an urn; to cremate and place in an urn.
  • The poet wrote of "urn'd ashes." (This usage is very uncommon in modern English.)

Noun

1. a large pot for making coffee or tea
2. a large vase that usually has a pedestal or feet