cement

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noun ce·ment \ si-ˈment also ˈsē-ment \

Definition of cement

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

See cement defined for English-language learners

See cement defined for kids

Examples of cement in a Sentence

There is a layer of cement under the bricks.
what kind of cement works best on glass and pottery?

Recent Examples of cement from the Web

City officials said last month that investors are looking to rezone some of the former cement plant property from industrial to general business.

— william thornton wthornton@al.com, AL.com, "Chick-fil-A coming to Sylacauga? Mayor says yes," 21 Aug. 2017
A Janus ordnance removal specialist said the company had found makeshift explosive devices in stoves in residences, in laboratories at Mosul University and in the milling machines of a cement factory.

— helene cooper, New York Times, "Pentagon Hopes to Declassify Hidden Threat in Mosul: ‘Dud’ U.S. Bombs," 17 Aug. 2017
The IS statement said the attack targeted a cement factory outside Karbala and resulted in dozens of casualties.

— maamoun yousef, The Seattle Times, "IS claims Karbala attack on Iraqi troops," 13 Aug. 2017
The new Crawford block is going up fast and will be one of the most substantial and commodious buildings in Crown Point when completed The Bloede addition to the Main street garage will be ready for occupancy as soon as the cement floor is finished.

— kitty conley, Post-Tribune, "Lake County Star Newspaper Almanac," 31 July 2017
Medium-sized companies, too, have seen plenty of such activity, affecting property, ports, cement and more.

— The Economist, "Reform of China’s ailing state-owned firms is emboldening them," 20 July 2017
So the council has promised to use cement boards to cover up the insulation.

— The Economist, "After Grenfell, councils scramble to fireproof their buildings," 20 July 2017
The shop uses cement and a mix of ingredients that has been perfected so as not to crack with weather changes.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Animals and angels: garden stone artwork made in Ramona," 20 July 2017
There have been very, very, very serious injuries with cement blocks being thrown.

— adrienne lafrance, The Atlantic, "Trump’s Wile E. Coyote Approach to Border Security," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cement

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

cement Synonyms

Synonyms

adhesive, bond, glue, size

Related Words

epoxy, epoxy resin, library paste, mucilage, paste, superglue, water glass; dope, goo, gum

Near Antonyms

detaching, disengaging, parting, separation; unbinding, unfastening, unfettering, untying (or untieing); emancipation, freedom, liberation, release

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

cement

verb

Definition of cement

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

See cement defined for English-language learners

Examples of cement in a Sentence

A win would cement her reputation as a strong competitor.

Recent Examples of cement from the Web

This is the kind of work that has cemented Larson’s place as the leading actor with the skills to be the next Meryl Streep.

— rick bentley, idahostatesman, "‘Glass Castle’ a devastating look at broken family," 10 Aug. 2017
Robinson is hungry to make his own mark, but Kojima is the stalwart warrior continuing to cement his legacy.

— posted jim varsallone, miamiherald, "G1 Climax Tourney coverage from the TheGorillaPosition.com," 21 July 2017
This right has molded the history of our country, serving as one of many catalysts for the American Revolution and firmly cementing its place in the supreme law of the land - the Constitution.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: The importance of jury service," 19 July 2017
Brady’s remarkable rally in Super Bowl 51 cemented his place at the top. 2.

— chris burke, The MMQB, "CHRIS BURKE’S ALL-TIME DRAFT MOCK FIRST-ROUND," 13 July 2017
That cemented authority in the states to oversee association plans.

— julie appleby, Kaiser Health News, "GOP Health Bill Eases Rules For Some Small-Business Plans," 12 July 2017
These pauses appear to be consistently spaced out and timed just long enough to cement the antennae illusion for any predators that may be watching.

— andrew wagner, Science | AAAS, "Watch this spider walk just like an ant," 11 July 2017
Littleton, Colorado, might be some rich-kid suburb, a million psychic miles from hanging out on St. Marks Place, but to the extent that youth cements a bond, these students, victims and killers both, were my daughter’s People.

— mark jacobson, Daily Intelligencer, "The Generation Gap in My Living Room," 30 June 2017
From nude shots of Williams cradling her belly to a regal photo of the tennis great’s bump poking through an orange garment, each photo further cements Williams’ queen status.

— char adams, PEOPLE.com, "Serena Williams Took 6 Pregnancy Tests Before Winning Australian Open: 'Oh My God, This Can't Be'," 27 June 2017

First Known Use of cement

14th century

CEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

cement

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noun

Definition of cement for English Language Learners

: a soft gray powder that is mixed with water and other substances to make concrete
: the hard substance that is made when cement is mixed with water and allowed to dry
: a substance that is used to make things stick together

cement

verb

Definition of cement for English Language Learners

: to join (things) together with cement
: to make (something) stronger

CEMENT Defined for Kids

cement

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noun ce·ment \ si-ˈment \

Definition of cement for Students

1 :a powder that is made mainly from compounds of aluminum, calcium, silicon, and iron heated together and then ground and mixed with water to make mortar and concrete

2 :²concrete, mortar

3 :a substance used to make things stick together firmly