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

Though home to 84,000 veterans, Orange County is the largest county in California without a veterans cemetery. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 12 Mar. 2026

The Charlotte Observer contacted the city of Monroe to get information about the cemetery’s relocation. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026

Dozens of Irish names can also be found on gravestones in the town cemetery. —John Lauritsen, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

Officials said cemetery staff would need approximately 30 to 40 minutes to prepare the gravesite for visitors following the service. —Jasmine Baehr , Olivia Palombo, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 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
• 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"