headstone

noun

head·​stone ˈhed-ˌstōn How to pronounce headstone (audio)
: a memorial stone at the head of a grave

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Israeli soldiers bulldozed the cemetery down the road with no headstones visible to indicate who is buried where. Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025 National cemeteries will continue burials, and families can still apply for markers, headstones and burial benefits. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025 Children play among headstones, and locals see ornate mausoleums daily on their way to run errands; the graveyards woven into public life as parks and libraries are in other cities. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025 Volpe passed away in 2016, and her famous chicken soup recipe is inscribed right from her recipe card at the top of her headstone. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headstone

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headstone was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headstone. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

headstone

noun
head·​stone -ˌstōn How to pronounce headstone (audio)
: a memorial stone placed at the head of a grave

More from Merriam-Webster on headstone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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