What does tombing mean?
Tombing is a rare English word with both noun and verb uses. As a noun, it refers to the act or process of placing a dead person or body in a tomb. As a verb, it means to entomb or bury someone within a tomb. The word is especially likely to appear in historical narratives, literary descriptions of burial rites, and accounts of royal or archaeological interments. Its vocabulary is somewhat formal and evokes permanence, commemoration, and the physical setting of a tomb, giving it a more solemn atmosphere than the general word burial. Although grammatically flexible, tombing is not common in everyday speech; entomb is usually preferred when a verb is needed. In the plural, tombings can refer to separate acts of interment, but the singular or uncountable use is generally more natural.
The act of placing a dead person or body in a tomb; entombment.
"The ancient chronicles describe the solemn tombings of several rulers."
Rare and literary; usually encountered in historical, ceremonial, or archaeological contexts.
To place a dead person or body in a tomb; to entomb.
"The priests tomb(ed) the queen in the chamber beneath the temple."
Usually encountered as the present participle or gerund tombing. Entomb is more common in modern prose.
The plural is grammatically possible but rare; tombing is normally used as an uncountable noun for the act or process.
"The record lists the tombings of members of the royal family."
Unlike ordinary burial, tombing specifically evokes interment within a permanent tomb—a place made to hold the dead.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of tombing
Tombing was formed in English from the established base tomb plus the suffix -ing. Tomb entered Middle English through Anglo-French tumbe, which was borrowed from Late Latin tumba. Related Romance forms include French tombe and Italian tomba, while entomb and tombstone are English derivatives of the same English base.
Related word forms
How tombing is actually used
Tombing is rare and literary, occurring mainly in ceremonial, historical, or archaeological contexts. The more familiar modern verb is usually entomb.