The meaning of URN is a vessel that is typically an ornamental vase on a pedestal and that is used for various purposes (such as preserving the ashes of the dead after cremation). URN can mean a container for ashes, a container for hot drinks, or a symbol of death. Learn more about the different meanings, pronunciation, and translations of URN with Cambridge Dictionary. An urn is a vase with a narrow neck and a footed base, often used for funerary or decorative purposes. Learn about the history, materials and styles of urns, from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times. Urn definition: a large or decorative vase, especially one with an ornamental foot or pedestal.. See examples of URN used in a sentence.