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

Six of the headstones bear the names of firefighters the Soviet press has identified as victims of radiation at Chernobyl, and a cemetery official said Tuesday the plot was for those who died as a result of the nuclear accident. —ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026

Beneath the headstones and quiet walking paths of a cemetery in Ithaca, New York, something incredible has been happening — completely out of sight. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026

City leaders, community organizations, the NAACP, and private citizens should come together immediately to ensure that a permanent, dignified headstone is placed at his grave. —Olivia Almagro, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026

In January 2024, thieves took more than 700 headstones. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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