What does interring mean?
Interring means burying a dead body, usually in a grave or tomb. The word is especially common in formal, legal, religious, and historical settings, where it conveys solemnity and the ritual character of the act; in ordinary conversation, “bury” is usually preferred. The verb can also be used more broadly for placing something in a grave, underground, or concealed within an enclosed structure, as when a manuscript is described as being interred beneath a floor. Its wording is notably formal, but it is not limited to human burials. The associated noun “interment” is similarly formal, while the opposite verb “exhume” means to remove a buried body from the ground. Interring therefore offers an authoritative alternative to everyday terms when the speaker wishes to describe burial precisely.
To place a dead body in a grave, tomb, or other burial place; to bury or entomb.
"The body was interred in the family crypt."
Formal and commonly associated with burial rites, religious ceremonies, legal records, and historical narrative.
The act of burying a dead body or placing it in a tomb or other burial place.
"The interment took place at sunset."
Usually formal and singular in usage; the plural form “interrings” is uncommon.
The plural is possible but uncommon; the noun is normally used in the singular.
"The records document several interrings in the old churchyard."
Interring is the formal word for burial—and its opposite, exhuming, means digging someone back up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interring come from?
“Interring” is formed from the prefix inter-, meaning “in” or “into,” and “ring” in the sense of placing or enclosing. The prefix inter- comes from Latin inter, meaning “among,” “between,” or “into,” and underlies words such as interim, intervene, and international. The compound acquired its modern sense of burial through the established English verb “inter,” meaning to place in a grave or tomb.
Related word forms
How interring is actually used
Formal and often used in legal, religious, historical, or ceremonial contexts. In general everyday speech, “bury” is more usual.
Easily confused with interring
Interring means placing a body in a grave or tomb, whereas interning means confining someone, typically in a hospital or institution.