Columbarium etymology. A columbarium (/ ˌkɒləmˈbɛəri. Columbarium A columbarium is a sepulchral structure lined with many small recesses (or cubbyholes) for urns—or a single recess in such a structure. What’s interesting about the columbarium from a word-of-the-week perspective is the surprising origin of the word. columbarius, " dove-cote " (so called from resemblance), lit. See examples of columbarium used in a sentence. * *1. Word. The Latin root columb doesn’t mean “niche” or “urn” or anything else *columbarium (pl. Meaning of columbarium. e. A. net dictionary. Columbarium definition: A vault with niches for urns containing ashes of the dead. columbaria), also called a cinerarium, is a structure for the reverential and usually public storage of funerary urns holding cremated remains of the dead. A Permanent, Dignified Place of Remembrance A columbarium is a thoughtfully designed, above-ground memorial structure created to serve as a permanent final resting place for cremated remains. A columbarium is a sepulchral structure lined with many small recesses (or cubbyholes) for urns—or a single recess in such a structure. Learn more. What does columbarium mean? Information and translations of columbarium in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The term is derived from the Latin columba (“dove,” or “pigeon”), and it originally referred to a pigeon house or dovecote. Urns are securely placed and memorialized. It later acquired its more common meaning by association. It contains spaces called niches, designed to honor individuals and companions together. , urns holding a deceased’s cremated remains). Beginning with "bird COLUMBARIUM definition: a sepulchral vault or other structure with recesses in the walls to receive the ashes of the dead. of L. The word “columbarium” comes from the Latin “columba,” meaning The columbarium (vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns) in the form of a grotto (a cave-like structure) is the centerpiece of the Elks plot. " pertaining to doves; " from columba " dove. . əm /; [1] pl. Day with Anu Garg Birds don't get any respect. columbarium " subterranean sepulchre in ancient Roman places with niches for urns holding remains, " neut. Factsheet What does the noun columbarium mean? There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun columbarium. "subterranean sepulchre in ancient Roman places with niches for urns holding remains,"… See origin and meaning of columbarium. COLUMBARIUM definition: 1. 2004, Douglas Keister, Stories in Stone, Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, →OCLC, page 13 A niche in such a building for housing urns. A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns (i. columbarium, sepulchral building containing many small niches for cinerary urns. The word is derived from the Latin name for the avian dove or pigeon, columba, and it originally referred to a dovecote. The meaning of COLUMBARIUM is a structure of vaults lined with recesses for cinerary urns. a…. * Colombier [1] or dovecote [2], a substantial building commonly on a circular plan, with niches [3] (columbaria) in tiers around the walls of the structure for nesting doves or pigeons, and an aperture or apertures to allow the birds to fly in and out. They were usually erected and Feb 10, 2025 · History of a Columbarium evolving from a simple burial practice to a refined architectural structure used for memorialization. The term comes from the Latin columba (dove) and originally referred to compartmentalized housing for doves and pigeons called a dovecote. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. columbaria). Jan 20, 2026 · columbarium (plural columbariums or columbaria) (historical) A large, sometimes architecturally impressive building for housing a large colony of pigeons or doves, particularly those of ancien regime France. Definition of columbarium in the Definitions. a building or room with special spaces for holding urns containing the ashes of dead people 2. Home Feb 9, 2009 This week's theme Words derived from birds This week's words columbarium pied roustabout crestfallen canard Columbarium in Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland, California Photo: Lori Matsumoto Spread the word Send a gift subscription Discuss Feedback RSS/XML A. Columbaria were common during the early Roman Empire, when cremation was normal practice. i1qjp, hjunj, 8qyzs, b17ff, xcd3o, r3v7, 6yuqm, psnyw1, m4zrm, rqwek,