cement

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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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 The company's press focuses on three industrial processes: production of steel, cement, and hydrogen. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Company claims breakthrough in concentrating the Sun’s rays," 19 Nov. 2019 One raccoon arrived covered in cement, according to the center’s Facebook page. — USA TODAY, "Chicago cows, bras for turtles, gold rush: News from around our 50 states," 1 July 2019 Houston police officers are investigating a deadly auto-pedestrian crash in Houston's River Oaks neighborhood Monday involving a cement truck. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Pedestrian dead after crash in Houston’s River Oaks," 10 June 2019 The bedroom and living room floors are polished cement, painted adobe. — Elisabeth Malkin, ELLE Decor, "See Inside an Idyllic Retreat in Northern Mexico," 18 Dec. 2019 After it was set in cement, a different inspector told him to tear it all down and move it by an inch. — Jon Caldara, The Denver Post, "Caldara: If Democrats got rich by building stuff, regulatory system would look different," 13 Dec. 2019 Asbestos found its way into cement, pipes, tiles and shingles. — The Economist, "Asbestos, Quebec wants a new name, maybe," 12 Dec. 2019 Apart from power plants, the technology would work on other industrial facilities such as petrochemical, steel and cement plants. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "Exxon Mobil invests in Global Thermostat carbon capture technology," 27 June 2019 When warning on profits in July, Thyssenkrupp had cited delays in the delivery of submarines to Turkey and problems in its building cement plant in Saudi Arabia. — Ruth Bender, WSJ, "Thyssenkrupp Warns on Profit Amid Major Overhaul," 9 Nov. 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Those who support the new laws say some are merely cementing or spelling out rules previously established by labor officials or the courts. — Charisse Jones, USA TODAY, "Could new laws designed to protect gig workers actually hurt them?," 9 Jan. 2020 Basking in the warm, rosy glow of nostalgia, legions of die-hards with opinions cemented over decades stand ready to crucify the final product if anything is amiss. — Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, "2021 Ford Bronco: Get the Inside Story Before the Official Reveal," 9 Jan. 2020 Today, the Incubator unveiled its latest glimpse ahead — and cemented the importance of personalization — with the L'Oréal Perso. — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Meet L’Oréal Perso, a High-Tech Device for Daily, Customized Skin Care and Makeup," 9 Jan. 2020 The finding that cemented his legacy was contained in a 2002 paper that showed how ice melt in Alaska over the half century preceding publication had contributed twice as much to global sea level rise as runoff from the Greenland ice sheet. — David James, Anchorage Daily News, "In ‘Heart of the World,' a legendary scientist and outdoorsman confronts a fatal diagnosis," 4 Jan. 2020 That third rushing touchdown set a Cincinnati bowl record and cemented Ridder as the team’s outstanding player--which was awarded officially after the game in the MVP presentation. — Cheryl Wray, al, "QB Desmond Ridder leads Cincinnati past Boston College in soggy Birmingham Bowl," 2 Jan. 2020 The signing would cement the first phase of an agreement that took nearly two years to negotiate and will formalize a trade truce between the world’s two largest economies. — BostonGlobe.com, "Trump did not say whether Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, would be in attendance or name any representatives from China who might attend the ceremony.," 1 Jan. 2020 The $250 million Tyler Perry Studios was the backdrop for the Nov. 20 debate, drawing unprecedented attention for the political world and cementing the city’s perception as a major contender for national big-ticket events. — Stephanie Toone, ajc, "Jimmy Carter’s comebacks: Top 9 Georgia stories of 2019," 26 Dec. 2019 Connecticut State Archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni told Fox News that the first skeleton was discovered in November by workers cementing the dirt basement of the house. — Fox News, "Skeletons that may be the remains of Revolutionary War soldiers discovered beneath historic house," 21 Dec. 2019

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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Last Updated

13 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Cement.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cement. Accessed 24 January 2020.

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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.

cement

noun

ce·ment | \ si-ˈment