obituary

noun

obit·​u·​ary ə-ˈbi-chə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce obituary (audio) ō- How to pronounce obituary (audio)
-ˈbi-chə-rē
plural obituaries
: a notice of a person's death usually with a short biographical account
obituarist
ə-ˈbi-chə-ˌwər-ist
ō- How to pronounce obituary (audio)
-ˈbi-chə-rist
noun
obituary adjective

Examples of obituary in a Sentence

I read her obituary in the newspaper. several obituaries for Herman Melville portrayed him as an obscure, largely forgotten author
Recent Examples on the Web Journalist Matt Alt, who interviewed Negishi for his book Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World, reported the news on X and expanded on Negishi’s legacy in an obituary for The Wall Street Journal. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 15 Mar. 2024 According to an obituary on the Larson Family Funeral Homes website, Liddicoat had been driving the milk for the family business, Liddicoat Trucking, for 34 years. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 Who invented Doritos? Arch West is the Frito-Lay executive credited with the invention of Doritos, according to his 2011 obituary in the Washington Post. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2024 Teran was a Castleberry High School graduate whose football and academic abilities earned him a scholarship from Waldorf University in Iowa, his family wrote in an obituary. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Mar. 2024 Born in Newark, New Jersey, Davis loved aviation, skateboarding, animals and his family, according to an obituary posted online. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Prien was a father of eight, according to his obituary. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 An obituary published by the family said Benedict, a descendant of the Choctaw Nation, loved nature and cats, particularly their pet Zeus. USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 In lieu of flowers, Wade’s obituary asked for support via the family’s GoFundMe page, or to make a donation to Temple Beth El or another charity in his memory. Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obituary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin obituārium, noun derivative of Medieval Latin obituārius "of death, recording records or dates of death," from Latin obitu-, stem of obitus "death" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at obit

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of obituary was in 1703

Dictionary Entries Near obituary

Cite this Entry

“Obituary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obituary. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obituary

noun
obit·​u·​ary ə-ˈbich-ə-ˌwer-ē How to pronounce obituary (audio)
plural obituaries
: a notice of a person's death (as in a newspaper)
obituary adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on obituary

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