bereavement

[bih-reev-muhnt]

noun

1. a period of mourning after a loss, especially after the death of a loved one.

   The widow had many visitors during her bereavement.

2. a state of intense grief, as after the loss of a loved one; desolation.

   Not all therapists are equipped to treat clients suffering with such debilitating bereavement.

3. deprivation or loss by force (usually followed byof ).

   The bereavement of our community began with the closing of the mill.

bereavement

/ bɪˈriːvmənt /

noun

1. the condition of having been deprived of something or someone valued, esp through death

2. a death

Word History and Origins

Origin of bereavement¹

First recorded in 1725–1735; bereave + -ment

Example Sentences

In England, there are plans for parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy to be entitled to bereavement leave.

From BBC

But she welcomed news that parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to bereavement leave under a planned change to the Employment Rights Bill.

From BBC

Parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to bereavement leave under a planned law change.

From BBC

She says 2T2 is infused with emotion; bereavement and illness informing tracks such as Stound, with its beats and spectral chanting.

From BBC

Hospice is an interdisciplinary service that provides everything from pain relief to spiritual support to medication management to dietary consulting to mobility equipment to bereavement counseling.

From Salon

Related Words

• sorrow 

When To Use

What does bereavement mean?

Bereavement is a period of mourning or or state of intense grief, especially following the death of a loved one.Bereavement is often a process that includes going through several stages of grief. Bereavement can also be used more generally to mean the state of having lost something very dear.Example: While on bereavement leave from work, Jenn coped with her loss by spending time in nature and talking to a therapist.