bereavement

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/bɪˈriːvmənt/
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Loss through the death of someone close, and the grief, mourning, and practical disruption that follow it.

Examples

  • Children may need simple explanations during bereavement.
  • The charity offers support after bereavement.
  • The company gives employees paid bereavement leave.
  • The sudden bereavement left the family in shock.
  • A recent bereavement made the holiday difficult.

Similar words

grief
deprivation
loss
sorrow
mourning

Meanings

Loss through death

noun
grief
neutral
The death of someone close, or the state of loss and grief that follows that death.

Examples

  • The sudden bereavement left the family in shock.
  • She returned to work after a period of bereavement.
  • The charity offers support after bereavement.
  • Children may need simple explanations during bereavement.
  • A recent bereavement made the holiday difficult.
  • The company gives employees paid bereavement leave.
  • He suffered two close bereavements in the same year.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed in the 1700s from bereave plus -ment. Bereave comes from Old English bereafian, meaning to deprive, rob, or take away.

FAQ

What does bereavement mean?

Bereavement means the death of someone close, or the state of grief and loss that follows that death.

Is bereavement the same as grief?

Not exactly. Bereavement is the loss or state after a death, while grief is the emotional response to that loss.

Is bereavement a verb?

No. Bereavement is a noun. The related verb is bereave, and the adjective is bereaved.

Can bereavement mean time off work?

The full phrase is bereavement leave. In workplace contexts, bereavement can be used briefly for that leave, but the phrase is clearer.

What is bereavement leave?

Bereavement leave is time off work after a death, often to grieve, attend a funeral, or handle family arrangements.

What is the difference between bereavement and mourning?

Bereavement is the state of loss after a death. Mourning is the expression or period of grief that may follow.

Can there be more than one bereavement?

Yes. Bereavement can be countable when referring to individual deaths, as in two bereavements in one year.

How is bereavement pronounced?

Bereavement is pronounced /bɪˈriːvmənt/.

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