embalm

UK: /ɪmˈbɑːm/ US: /ɛmˈbɑm/ ,(em bäm′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

em•balm /ɛmˈbɑm/   v. [~ + object] ,

1. Medicine to preserve (a dead body) with chemicals or drugs.

em•balm•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

em•balm  (em bäm′), v.t. 

1. Medicine to treat (a dead body) so as to preserve it, as with chemicals, drugs, or balsams.
2. to preserve from oblivion;
   keep in memory:
   his deeds embalmed in the hearts of his disciples.
3. to cause to remain unchanged;
   prevent the development of.
4. to impart a balmy fragrance to.

• Old French emba(u)smer, equivalent. to em- em-¹ + -ba(u)smer, verb, verbal derivative of ba(u)sme balm
• Middle English embalmen, embaumen 1300–50

em•balm′er, n. 
em•balm′ment, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

embalm / ɪmˈbɑːm/ verb (transitive)

1. to treat (a dead body) with preservatives, as by injecting formaldehyde into the blood vessels, to retard putrefaction
2. to preserve or cherish the memory of
3. to give a sweet fragrance to

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French embaumer; see balm

emˈbalmer noun

emˈbalmment noun