headstone

noun

head·​stone ˈhed-ˌstōn 

: a memorial stone at the head of a grave

Synonyms of headstone

• tombstone
• monument

Examples of headstone in a Sentence

many of the headstones were for children who had died during the influenza epidemic

Recent Examples on the Web

Baby Maytie Raker finally got a headstone today at the Inglewood Park Cemetery, 120 years after her death. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

There are two headstones near the entrance to the cemetery, but those are for dogs buried in 1972. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

There is room on the headstone for only three of the seven names. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 6 Aug. 2026

Dollie’s marker revealed dates from 1998 and 1999 after it was carefully leveled and cleaned, while Hollie’s large granite headstone marked July 1977. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for headstone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

headstone

noun

head·​stone -ˌstōn 

: a memorial stone placed at the head of a grave