cement

1 of 2

noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

also ˈsē-ment

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

cement

2 of 2

verb

cemented; cementing; cements

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

Synonyms of cement

Noun

• glue
• adhesive

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

Crews on Monday appear to be adding barbed wire atop cement barricades already wrapped around the building — measures no doubt added in response to a consistent group of protestors committed to gathering daily outside the complex near Fort Snelling. —Wcco Staff, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

Think lumber, steel, cement and basic construction materials — falling rates could lead to higher demand for these products and services. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026

Verb

Penn and his One Battle After Another cast and crew celebrated big victories on Sunday night, with the film winning Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy to cement itself as the frontrunner for the Best Picture Oscar. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026

Paul Thomas Anderson’s magnum opus, One Battle After Another, continued its winning streak Sunday night, picking up four trophies at the Golden Globes and cementing its status as the front-runner in the Oscar race. —Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing cement

• cement mixer
• ferro-cement
• portland cement
• rubber cement

Rhymes for cement

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids Definition

cement

1 of 2 noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

1

a

: concrete

b

: a fine powder that is produced from a burned mixture chiefly of clay and limestone and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete

2

a

: a binding element or substance

b

: an adhesive substance

3

a

: cementum

b

: a material for filling cavities in teeth

cement

2 of 2 verb

1

: to unite by or as if by cement

cemented their friendship

2

: to cover with concrete

cementer noun

Medical Definition

cement

noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

1

: cementum

2

: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities