An urn is a large vase with a lid, often used to hold the ashes of someone who has died and been cremated. You might see urns in cemeteries, memorial gardens, or homes where families keep them to remember loved ones. These urns are usually made of ceramic, metal, or stone, and many are decorated beautifully to honor the person whose ashes they contain.

The word also refers to any large, decorative vase, especially in the classical Greek and Roman style, with a narrow base, wide body, and handles on the sides. Museums display ancient urns that once held wine, oil, or water, often painted with scenes from mythology or daily life.

In some contexts, an urn is a large metal container with a spigot used to serve hot beverages at events. A coffee urn or tea urn might hold several gallons, keeping drinks warm for crowds at weddings, church gatherings, or school functions. When you see a shiny container dispensing hot chocolate at a winter fair, that's probably an urn doing its job.