cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms of cemetery

• graveyard

Examples of cemetery in a Sentence

many of the soldiers who died in the battle are buried in a cemetery nearby

Recent Examples on the Web

When researchers first opened tomb 59 at the Kozareva cemetery, they were immediately puzzled by the contents. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Dec. 2025

In September, dozens of trash bags filled with sticks, leaves, and grass that were cleared from the cemetery had been waiting months to be picked up by the city. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025

Read on to analyze all of this week’s big moments, from the cemetery to the bedroom. —William Earl, Variety, 7 Dec. 2025

On June 27, 2025, the Bish family gathered with friends and family to remember Molly 25 years after her death — first at the cemetery and then at a more formal ceremony in the center of Warren. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cimitery, from Anglo-French cimiterie, from Late Latin coemeterium, from Greek koimētērion sleeping chamber, burial place, from koiman to put to sleep; akin to Greek keisthai to lie, Sanskrit śete he lies

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cemetery

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈsem-ə-ˌter-ē 

plural cemeteries

: a place where dead people are buried : graveyard

Etymology

Middle English cimitery "cemetery," from early French cimiterie (same meaning), from Latin coemeterium "cemetery," from Greek koimētērion "sleeping chamber, burial place," from koiman "to put to sleep"