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

On June 27, 2025, the Bish family gathered with friends and family to remember Molly 25 years after her death — first at the cemetery and then at a more formal ceremony in the center of Warren. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025

An elderly man, adjusting to the recent death of his beloved wife, meets a brilliant yet maladjusted teenager in a cemetery. —The Know, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025

Last year, a CNN investigation found that the Israeli military desecrated at least 16 cemeteries in its ground offensive in Gaza, leaving gravestones ruined, soil upturned and, in some cases, bodies unearthed. —Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025

Nine generations of their family are buried in the nearby cemetery of Friedberg Moravian Church, founded in 1773. —Charlotte Observer, 27 Nov. 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"