Pallbearer Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms pallbearer American [pawl-bair-er] / ˈpɔlˌbɛər ər /

noun

1. one of several persons who carry or attend the coffin at a funeral.

pallbearer British / ˈpɔːlˌbɛərə /

noun

1. a person who carries or escorts the coffin at a funeral

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pallbearer

First recorded in 1700–10; pall 1 + bearer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Malcolm Livingstone, a military veteran who served as a pallbearer for Princess Diana, was also found dead outside a church in King's Lynn.

From BBC

At Nielsen’s funeral, the pallbearers carried his coffin to the “Naked Gun” theme.

From Los Angeles Times

The band kept playing as the pallbearers trudged onward.

From Los Angeles Times

After giving a statement to the deputies that morning, Pope arrived at his sister’s funeral, where he was supposed to be a pallbearer, just as everyone was leaving.

From Los Angeles Times

Four pallbearers carried the coffin from the church after the funeral and they were followed by Payne’s parents and Cole.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.