embalm
verb
em·balm im-ˈbä(l)m 
em-
embalmed; embalming; embalms
transitive verb
1
: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay
2
: to fill with sweet odors : perfume
3
: to protect from decay or oblivion : preserve
embalm a hero's memory
4
: to fix in a static condition
embalmer noun
embalmment
im-ˈbä(l)m-mənt
noun em-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web However, Full Circle, and doulas across the country, do not embalm or handle human remains. 
Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 In June 2020, Jackie Carlisle hired the funeral home to embalm and prepare her mother’s body for a wake, according to a lawsuit Carlisle filed in January. Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2022 Deep inside a shaft in the cemetery of Abusir, near Cairo, a team of Egyptian and Czech Egyptologists has found a significant cache of equipment used more than 2,500 years ago to embalm mummies. CNN, 24 Feb. 2022 Why had there been a seeming rush to embalm the body, without an autopsy? Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2021 There was this outlaw who died in a shootout with police, and no one came to collect the body, so the guy at the funeral home decided to embalm him and charge admission to see him. Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 6 Aug. 2021 Ever the enigma, while her choice to embalm may be traditional, her last look will be anything but. Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 29 July 2021 But Almereyda, never one to embalm unconventional minds in conventional storytelling, has no interest in a mere recitation of his subject’s accomplishments. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2020 Used to embalm and preserve bodies in morgues, some butchers use formalin to keep meat from going off. Julien Chongwang, Quartz Africa, 7 July 2020 See More
Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 In June 2020, Jackie Carlisle hired the funeral home to embalm and prepare her mother’s body for a wake, according to a lawsuit Carlisle filed in January. Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2022 Deep inside a shaft in the cemetery of Abusir, near Cairo, a team of Egyptian and Czech Egyptologists has found a significant cache of equipment used more than 2,500 years ago to embalm mummies. CNN, 24 Feb. 2022 Why had there been a seeming rush to embalm the body, without an autopsy? Washington Post, 7 Dec. 2021 There was this outlaw who died in a shootout with police, and no one came to collect the body, so the guy at the funeral home decided to embalm him and charge admission to see him. Geek's Guide To The Galaxy, WIRED, 6 Aug. 2021 Ever the enigma, while her choice to embalm may be traditional, her last look will be anything but. Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 29 July 2021 But Almereyda, never one to embalm unconventional minds in conventional storytelling, has no interest in a mere recitation of his subject’s accomplishments. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2020 Used to embalm and preserve bodies in morgues, some butchers use formalin to keep meat from going off. Julien Chongwang, Quartz Africa, 7 July 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English embaumen, from Anglo-French enbaumer, enbasmer, from en- + basme balm — more at balm
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
embalm
verb
em·balm im-ˈbäm
-ˈbälm
embalmed; embalming
: to treat a dead body so as to preserve it from decay
Medical Definition
embalm
transitive verb
em·balm
im-ˈbä(l)m, New England also -ˈbȧm
: to treat (a dead body) so as to protect from decay
embalmer
noun
as in undertaker
Synonyms & Similar Words
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- undertaker
- mortician
- funeral director
- take (a place) by storm
- take (away)
- take (great) pains
- take (one's) revenge
- take (someone or something) by surprise
- take (someone or something) seriously
- take (someone) aside
- take (someone) in/into one's arms
- take (someone) prisoner
- take (someone) through
- take (someone) unawares
- take (someone) under one's wing
- take (something) as a sign
- take (something) as given
- take (something) as read
- take (something) by storm
- take (something) in good part
- take (something) in one's stride
- take (something) in stride
- take (something) into consideration
- take (something) into one's (own) hands
- take (something) lying down
- take (something) on board
- take (something) out on (someone)
- take (something) to heart