cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms

• boneyard
• God's acre
• graveyard
• memorial park
• necropolis
• potter's field

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 audit also noted a Jewish cemetery in Waterbury that was vandalized with more than 12 gravestones desecrated. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025

Concord, South Dakota, has a paint store, a cemetery and four waterfowl protection areas. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

What Lejla thought was a place of cherished memories between father and daughter was, in fact, a silent cemetery. —Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 15 Apr. 2025

In another episode, cast member Kathryn Dennis shows off her family plantation, which includes a slave cemetery. —Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 11 Apr. 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"