1. A roofed gateway at the entrance to a churchyard, traditionally used as a shelter for a coffin before burial.
Usage: Chiefly British; Also spelled 'lych gate' or 'lich gate'; The term derives from Old English 'lic' meaning 'corpse'

Examples

• The village church had a beautiful stone lychgate dating back to the 15th century.
• Mourners gathered under the lychgate before the funeral procession began.
• Many English parishes maintain their historic lychgates as architectural landmarks.
• The lychgate provided shelter for pallbearers during inclement weather.
• Visitors passed through the lychgate to enter the peaceful churchyard.