To bury means to place something in the ground and cover it with soil. When a dog buries a bone in the backyard, it digs a hole, drops the bone in, and pushes dirt over it to hide it for later. People bury seeds when planting a garden, covering them with earth so they can grow into plants.

The word also refers to laying a dead body to rest in the ground, usually in a cemetery. Throughout history, nearly every culture has developed burial customs to honor and remember people who have died. These ceremonies help the living say goodbye and show respect for the person who died.

You can also bury objects figuratively. A student might bury themselves in their homework, meaning they focus so completely that everything else disappears. If a scandal gets buried in the news, it means other stories cover it up or push it out of sight. When someone buries their face in their hands, they're hiding their expression, perhaps because they're embarrassed or upset.

The expression “bury the hatchet” means to end a disagreement and make peace.