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

Viewers also finally meet Grandmama Hester Frump, who arrives to help Wednesday at the cemetery where the outcasts from the obituaries found in Galpin’s cabin were allegedly laid to rest. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Her remains were exhumed from a grave in suburban Denver cemetery and placed at an altar at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception — one of the steps in the sainthood process. —Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025

Islam will then be buried at a cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey. —Stephen Sorace , Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025

Why is there a parade float in the shed at a cemetery? —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 16 July 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"