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

Before his body was taken the cemetery for burial, a bell was rung, symbolizing the end of his shift. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025

Wells was also known for organizing clean-up efforts at cemeteries in historically Black neighborhoods, including Lincoln Memorial Park in Brownsville. —Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

While the Jewish community has flourished in Sydney, antisemitic graffiti and vandalism of cars, cemeteries, and places of worship have been on the rise, especially since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. —Belinda Luscombe, Time, 14 Dec. 2025

When researchers first opened tomb 59 at the Kozareva cemetery, they were immediately puzzled by the contents. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 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"