Pyre

A pyre is a combustible heap, especially of wood, used for burning a corpse as part of a funeral rite or a sacrifice. Historically, pyres have been used in various cultures for cremation ceremonies, sometimes involving elaborate rituals and the burning of offerings along with the deceased. The flames represent the release of the soul, and the ashes are often collected and dispersed. In a broader sense, 'pyre' can also signify anything consumed or destroyed by fire, representing loss or a dramatic ending.

Pyre meaning with examples

• The ancient king's body was laid upon the pyre, surrounded by his possessions, ready to be sent to the afterlife. The flames roared to life, consuming the wood and everything upon it, a solemn spectacle for his mourning kingdom.
• In the village's memorial service, the effigy of the fallen hero was built and then set alight on a makeshift pyre in the town square. The crackling flames and rising smoke symbolized the community's grief and the hero's final, fiery journey.
• The condemned witch, bound to a stake, faced her fiery end at the pyre, a horrifying spectacle that served as a warning to others. The crackling of the fire drowned out her screams, consumed by the flames of justice and fear.
• The advancing wildfire created a pyre of charred trees and burning undergrowth, consuming everything in its path. The devastation caused the whole forest to become an inferno.