cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms of cemetery

• 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

Leaders envision a campus that will eventually include a larger church, classrooms, residences for priests and teaching sisters, a cemetery and a school. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Part of the Theban Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Sheikh Abd El-Qurna cemetery is known for its concentration of tombs of priests and high-ranking officials from Egypt’s New Kingdom (1570–1069 BCE). — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026

His body was buried in a Norwegian cemetery in Grytviken, the grave marked by a rough cross (later replaced by a granite column). — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

In October, authorities established a cemetery in the city of Deir al Balah to bury unidentified bodies recovered from around the enclave. — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

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
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

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"