cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms

• 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

The concept sells niches to hold urns, similar to buying a cemetery plot for a casket. —Laura L. Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 27 Oct. 2025

The town’s reputation as a cemetery city is not without challenges, however. —Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025

In one of America’s most grave-dense cities, there are Italian, Serbian and Japanese cemeteries. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

The walk opened with a prayer to show respect to those buried at the cemetery, before a group led by a priest and Mexican folkloric dance group Grupo de Danza Tonantzin walked through the cemetery in quiet reflection. —Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025

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
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

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"