hearse

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an elaborate framework erected over a coffin or tomb to which memorial verses or epitaphs are attached
b
: a triangular candelabra for 15 candles used especially at Tenebrae
2
a
archaic : coffin
b
obsolete : bier sense 1
3
: a vehicle for conveying the dead to the grave

hearse

2 of 2

verb

hearsed; hearsing

transitive verb

1
a
archaic : to place on or in a hearse
b
: to convey in a hearse
2
: bury

Did you know?

The Evolution of Hearse

Medieval French used the word herce for a harrow, a farm tool used to break up and smooth the soil. Herce was also applied to a triangular frame that was used for holding candles. Herce was borrowed into Middle English as herse. In those days, a large and decorative framework might be raised over the tomb or coffin of an honored person. Because this framework was often decorated with candles, the word herse was applied to it. A series of slightly changed meanings led to the use of herse (Modern English hearse) for a platform for a corpse or coffin, and from that to a vehicle to carry the dead. The verb hearse emerged late in the 16th century.

Examples of hearse in a Sentence

Verb the cemetery hearses an average of eight bodies a week
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Clark said the woman’s body had been in the hearse since shortly after death until its recent discovery. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2024 In fact, before his death in 2021, Prince Philip designed a custom Land Rover to carry his hearse in the official funeral procession. Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 Other urns were found in a moving truck parked outside and still others were in a hearse, where investigators found the woman’s body covered with blankets, Clark said. Amy Beth Hanson, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2024 On Thursday, Navalny’s aides said that, with less than 24 hours before the funeral, the family had not been able to secure a hearse to transport his body. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 This goth couple is so committed to the macabre that their mode of transportation is a hearse. Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2024 Clark said officers found the body of a deceased 63-year-old woman covered in blankets inside the hearse. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 19 Feb. 2024 Additional urns were found inside the hearse by the woman's body. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 Her casket will then be transferred to a hearse that will head to the Carter family residence for private interment. Caroline Linton, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2023
Verb
Then, as preparations for Friday's funeral began, funeral homes and hearse drivers allegedly received threats. Nick Spicer, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Funeral for Melania Trump's mother today; Palm Beach warns of traffic around church Her casket — carrying the woman whose cooking former President Trump credited with making his youngest son 6 feet, 7 inches tall — arrived in a black Cadillac hearse Thursday morning. Kristina Webb, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2024 All of this is performed in a 135,000-square-foot factory in the dankest recesses of Lima, Ohio, by S&S Superior, a company that has been building hearses for 71 years. John Phillips, Car and Driver, 26 Aug. 2023 Meanwhile, most ambulance services were operated by morticians, because hearses were roomy enough for people to lie flat. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 12 July 2023 On Thursday, two hearses carrying the bodies of Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown crossed the international bridge to Brownsville, where the remains were handed over to U.S. authorities, according to The Associated Press. Dianne Solis, Dallas News, 10 Mar. 2023 Organ donor's body saves driver as crash leaves hearse dangling over canyon Organ donor's body saves driver as crash leav... CBS News, 18 Apr. 2023 Detectives and evidence technicians remained in the home collecting evidence late Tuesday, long after hearses had left the driveway. Doha Madani, NBC News, 20 Apr. 2023 On Thursday, two hearses carrying the bodies of Woodard and Brown crossed the international bridge to Brownsville, where the remains were handed over to U.S. authorities. James Pollard, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hearse.' 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

Noun

Middle English herse, from Anglo-French herce harrow, frame for holding candles, from Latin hirpic-, hirpex harrow

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hearse was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hearse

Cite this Entry

“Hearse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearse. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hearse

noun
ˈhərs
: a vehicle for conveying the dead to the grave
Etymology

Noun

Middle English herse "a triangular frame for holding candles," from early French herce "frame for holding candles, harrow," from Latin hirpex "harrow"

Word Origin
An early form of French used the word herce for a harrow, a farm tool used to break up and smooth the soil. Herce was also applied to a triangular frame that was similar in shape to the frame of a harrow and was used for holding candles. Herce was borrowed into English as hearse, and both the literal sense of "harrow" and the extended sense of "a frame for holding candles" were kept. In those days a large and decorative framework might be raised over the tomb or coffin of an honored person. Because this framework was often decorated with candles, the word hearse was applied to it. A series of slightly changed meanings led to the use of hearse for a platform for a corpse or coffin, and from that to a vehicle to carry the dead to the grave.

More from Merriam-Webster on hearse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!