: a combustible heap for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
broadly
: a pile of material to be burned
a pyre of dead leaves
Examples of pyre in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An area of pyre pits that was used through the second century was also found at the site, archaeologists said.
—
Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024
The father and son wound up on a cannabis farm in Mendocino County, where they were shot, beheaded, and then incinerated on a pile of burning tires, with live chickens thrown into the pyre.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
At the last minute, an eagle would be released from the pyre, presumably glad to escape the flames.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
One of the most moving stories in mythology is the tale of the phoenix, an extraordinary bird that emerges from a flaming pyre with its colorful feathers even more beautiful than before.
—Carlos Mota, ELLE Decor, 7 July 2023
What happened on the imperial pyre was crucial to the emperor’s apotheosis.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
Hercules, for example, after a life as a mortal strongman, was deified on his funeral pyre.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
Yes! ‘Tis our day, my neighbors to light these pyres and feast by these mighty waters!
—Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2023
In this case, the pyre was carefully sealed beneath a raft of two dozen bricks, arranged in four rows.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024
The father and son wound up on a cannabis farm in Mendocino County, where they were shot, beheaded, and then incinerated on a pile of burning tires, with live chickens thrown into the pyre.
—Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
At the last minute, an eagle would be released from the pyre, presumably glad to escape the flames.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
One of the most moving stories in mythology is the tale of the phoenix, an extraordinary bird that emerges from a flaming pyre with its colorful feathers even more beautiful than before.
—Carlos Mota, ELLE Decor, 7 July 2023
What happened on the imperial pyre was crucial to the emperor’s apotheosis.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
Hercules, for example, after a life as a mortal strongman, was deified on his funeral pyre.
—Mary Beard, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
Yes! ‘Tis our day, my neighbors to light these pyres and feast by these mighty waters!
—Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2023
In this case, the pyre was carefully sealed beneath a raft of two dozen bricks, arranged in four rows.
—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pyre.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pyre
Cite this Entry
“Pyre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyre. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pyre
noun
: a heap of wood for burning a dead body
also
: a pile of material to be burned
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