cement

1 of 3

noun (1)

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

also ˈsē-ment

1

a

: concrete

b

: a powder of alumina, silica, lime, iron oxide, and magnesium oxide burned together in a kiln and finely pulverized and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete

also : any mixture used for a similar purpose

2

: a binding element or agency: such as

a

: a substance to make objects adhere to each other

b

: something serving to unite firmly

… justice is the cement that holds a political community together.

—R. M. Hutchins

3

: cementum

4

: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities

5

: the fine-grained groundmass or glass of a porphyry

cement

2 of 3

verb

cemented; cementing; cements

transitive verb

1

: to unite or make firm by or as if by cement

Pebbles were cemented together by clay.

has cemented his role as a leader on the team

—T. W. Smith

2

: to overlay with concrete

cemented the cellar floor

intransitive verb

: to become cemented

cementer noun

cementer

3 of 3

noun (2)

ce·​ment·​er

si-ˈmen-tər also ˈsē-ˌmen-

plural -s

1

: one that cements or makes cement

2

a

: gluer

b

: a shipworker who applies cement on ships' bottoms, in crevices, or in any joints to make them watertight

c

: cement finisher

d

: one who directs and assists workers in cementing the space between the sidewalls and steel casings of an oil or gas well to provide protection and control for underground operations

e

: a vulcanizer of breaks and holes in pneumatic tires

called also patcher

f

: a repairer of broken concrete structural parts and equipment

called also cement mason

Synonyms of cement

Noun (1)

• glue
• adhesive

Examples of cement in a Sentence

Noun (1)

There is a layer of cement under the bricks.

what kind of cement works best on glass and pottery?

Verb

A win would cement her reputation as a strong competitor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Another second-generation tycoon featured in this issue is Eusebio Tanco in Manila, a London School of Economics grad who’s remade his family group, with roots in cement and metal trading, by diversifying into unrelated areas. — Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Even though cement is in the name, this glue still dries clear on surfaces. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

Cushing is also where the West Texas Intermediate Index (WTI) is priced, which cements its importance in the financial markets. — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

The German, who spent his entire playing career with Hoffenheim, coached Red Bull Salzburg for two seasons, cementing his reputation by winning back-to-back Austrian Bundesliga titles and the Austrian Cup. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English sement, from Anglo-French ciment, from Latin caementum stone chips used in making mortar, from caedere to cut

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing cement

• cement mixer
• ferro-cement
• Portland cement
• rubber cement

Rhymes for cement

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids Definition

cement

1 of 2 noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

1

a

: concrete

b

: a fine powder that is produced from a burned mixture chiefly of clay and limestone and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete

2

a

: a binding element or substance

b

: an adhesive substance

3

a

: cementum

b

: a material for filling cavities in teeth

cement

2 of 2 verb

1

: to unite by or as if by cement

cemented their friendship

2

: to cover with concrete

cementer noun

Medical Definition

cement

noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

1

: cementum

2

: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities