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

Two Black cemeteries on the Oak Hill property, both containing members of my family, were recently slated for relocation to make way for economic development. —Jeffrey Bennett, Time, 5 Jan. 2026

The sprawling cemetery includes numerous other famous entertainers, including Brittany Murphy, Paul Walker, John Ritter, Buster Keaton, Bill Paxton, Stan Laurel, and David Carradine. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Jan. 2026

In its application, ATC said its proposal strives for minimal impact to existing homes, schools, places of worship, cemeteries, natural spaces and areas used for cultural, historical, archaeological, recreational, economic, transportation and agricultural purposes. —Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 30 Dec. 2025

Singapore’s gamblers have long been known to visit cemeteries in the dead of night to divine winning lottery numbers. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 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"