cement

noun

ce·ment | \si-ˈment also ˈsē-ment

Definition of cement

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

verb

cemented; cementing; cements

Definition of cement (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from cement Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cement

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Synonyms for cement

Synonyms: Noun

bond, cord, knot, ligature, link, tie

Examples of cement in a Sentence

Noun

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

When water, which is between 14 and 21 percent of concrete, is added, the cement hardens and holds everything together. — Kevin Davenport, idahostatesman, "How a 20-minute fire in the fatal I-84 crash ruined a concrete overpass," 22 June 2018 The run helped cement the Heisman Trophy for Cannon in 1959. — Usa Today Sports, USA TODAY, "LSU football legend, 1959 Heisman winner Billy Cannon dies at 80," 20 May 2018 The auto industry helped cement the transition from communism to capitalism and turn the country from a backwater to euro member. — James M Gomez, Bloomberg.com, "Electric Cars Threaten to Leave This European Nation Behind," 8 Feb. 2018 The suspects allegedly sent packages to over 100 countries, camouflaging the drugs as legal products, including additives for cement. — Chris Morris, Fortune, "Authorities Seize $5.2 Million in Cryptocurrency Following Europe's Largest LSD Bust," 28 June 2018 Jindal Steel & Power, the Indian steelmaker controlled by billionaire Savitri Jindal’s family, manufactures sponge iron, mild steel, and cement. — Paul Burkhardt, Bloomberg.com, "Jindal Steel South Africa Units File for Business Protection," 26 June 2018 Having sweaty or moist hands Wetting your hands throughout the day for work Working with cementWorking with metals like chromium, cobalt, or nickel What are common dyshidrotic eczema symptoms? — Korin Miller, SELF, "How to Tell If Your Blisters Are Actually Dyshidrotic Eczema," 22 June 2018 No one ever doubted that Bryson DeChambeau would eventually secure a big win and cement his status as one of the best young American players, alongside age counterparts Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. — Daniel Rapaport, SI.com, "Bryson DeChambeau Wins the Memorial After Three-Man Playoff," 3 June 2018 Adam Conley is trying to rebound from a disappointing 2017 season and cement a spot in the starting rotation. — Clark Spencer, miamiherald, "This Marlins pitcher is reaching back into his past to ensure his baseball future | Miami Herald," 22 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Edwards, for one, replaced Todd Graham, who despite three rocky seasons had cemented trust among fans. — Doug Haller, azcentral, "Six months in, has ASU football's Herm Edwards changed the narrative?," 12 June 2018 Meghan Markle, with her messy buns and affinity for affordable beauty products, has just cemented her status as the princess of the people: Apparently, the Duchess of Sussex has been doing her own makeup throughout her recent international trip. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "Meghan Markle Has Been Doing Her Own Makeup While Touring Ireland With Prince Harry," 12 July 2018 Of the court’s liberal justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and Stephen Breyer turns 80 next month, so Trump may well get another opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for years to come. — Zeke Miller, The Seattle Times, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Dems," 10 July 2018 Of the court's liberal justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and Stephen Breyer turns 80 next month, so Trump may well get another opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for years to come. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump nominates GOP favorite Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court," 10 July 2018 Of the court's liberal justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and Stephen Breyer turns 80 next month, so Trump may well get another opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for years to come. — Catherine Lucey, Zeke Miller And Mark Sherman, Houston Chronicle, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for court, setting up fight with Dems," 10 July 2018 Of the court’s liberal justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and Stephen Breyer turns 80 next month, so Trump may well get another opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for years to come. — Anchorage Daily News, "Trump picks Kavanaugh for Supreme Court," 10 July 2018 Of the court’s liberal justices, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85 and Stephen Breyer turns 80 next month, so Trump may well get another opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for years to come. — BostonGlobe.com, "Trump makes decision on his Supreme Court pick, will reveal it at 9 p.m.," 9 July 2018 Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement, announced Wednesday, will give President Trump and a Republican Senate the chance to cement a reliable conservative majority on the Supreme Court for the first time since the New Deal era. — Brandon Bartels, Washington Post, "It took conservatives 50 years to get a reliable majority on the Supreme Court. Here are 3 reasons why.," 29 June 2018

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.

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Dictionary Entries near cement

Statistics for cement

Last Updated

3 Nov 2018

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Time Traveler for cement

The first known use of cement was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for cement

cement

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cement

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of cement (Entry 2 of 2)

: to join (things) together with cement

: to make (something) stronger

See the full definition for cement in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cement

noun

ce·ment | \si-ˈment

Kids Definition of cement

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 : concrete entry 2, mortar

3 : a substance used to make things stick together firmly

cement

verb

cemented; cementing

Kids Definition of cement (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to join together with or as if with cement There were sheets of ice … cementing the tops of the hemlocks in arches.— Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain

2 : to make stronger The experience cemented their friendship.