Pronunciation: [pˈa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA) 
The word "pyre" is a noun that refers to a heap of combustible material used for burning a dead body as a funeral rite. The pronunciation of "pyre" is /paɪə(r)/, where "p" is a voiceless bilabial plosive, "y" is a semi-vowel sound represented by IPA symbol /j/, "r" is a voiced alveolar approximant, and "e" is a schwa sound represented by /ə/. When pronounced, the stress falls on the first syllable of the word - "PYre".
A pyre refers to a large, structured heap of combustible materials, particularly wood, intended for burning a dead body as part of a funeral ritual or cremation process. The word "pyre" originates from the Latin term "pyra" or "pyros," meaning fire, which underscores its connection to the act of cremation. Historically, pyres have held significant cultural and religious value, often serving as a means to send off the deceased into the afterlife or to purify their soul.
Typically constructed on an open-air platform or a raised structure, a pyre can vary in size and shape depending on the culture and tradition within which it is practiced. The body to be cremated is positioned atop the pyre, along with various offerings and sometimes ceremonial objects that hold symbolic meaning. Once prepared, the pyre is set ablaze, allowing the flames to consume the body and facilitate the transformation into ashes.
The practice of using pyres for cremations dates back thousands of years and has been observed in numerous societies worldwide, including ancient Greece, India, and Viking cultures. While modern forms of disposition, such as burial and crematoriums, have become more prevalent in recent times, pyres continue to hold cultural importance in some regions and are utilized in traditional funeral rites.
A heap of combustible materials on which a dead body was laid to be burned to ashes.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "pyre" has its origins in the ancient Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "pur" (πυρ), meaning "fire". This term later evolved into "pyrós" (πυρός), which also means "fire". From there, it ultimately gave rise to the English word "pyre", referring to a ceremonial heap or pile of wood for burning a deceased person's body during a funeral or cremation.
