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

Philip Lambert, 33, of Little Rock was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Zachary Counts, 34, who died three days after he was repeatedly struck in the head during a fight at the cemetery, police said. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 23 July 2026

Located 40 km southwest of Cairo, Saqqara was an important cemetery of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis. — Anne Doran For Artnews, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

This historic cemetery at the edge of town represents both the beginning and, to some degree, the end of the Allman Brothers Band. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026

At the church near the cemetery’s entrance there’s a funeral, and the chants of the priests fill the square. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026

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
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

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"