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

Set on six acres in the Savannah Historic District, the cemetery often feels like a shaded urban park. —Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026

Some residents in Elkridge, Maryland, are pushing back against plans that would turn part of a cemetery into a gas station. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 June 2026

Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis will give a presentation on the history and legacy of the Odd Fellows Cemetery; a session from PAAC Junior will introduce youngsters to ways to get involved in cemetery preservation projects. —Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 10 June 2026

One of those veterans, 83-year-old Shaun Byrnes of Virginia, met NPR on Monday outside the cemetery entrance on Arlington Memorial Bridge. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 June 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"