tombstone

noun

tomb·​stone ˈtüm-ˌstōn How to pronounce tombstone (audio)

Examples of tombstone in a Sentence

the historic cemetery's many tombstones marking the graves of children are telling reminders of the harshness of pioneer life
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.
After resting in an unmarked grave for decades, Porter County’s first female physician now has not only a tombstone on her grave but also an Indiana Historical Bureau marker in downtown Valparaiso. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025 Melton brought Truman and the caisson team through the gate into the shade of oak trees that tower over row upon row of white marble tombstones. Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 27 May 2025 All the veterans have flags placed by their tombstones. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 24 May 2025 His tombstone was flat and modest; people had left bouquets and stones. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tombstone

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tombstone was in 1565

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tombstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tombstone. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

tombstone

noun
tomb·​stone ˈtüm-ˌstōn How to pronounce tombstone (audio)

Geographical Definition

Tombstone

geographical name

Tomb·​stone ˈtüm-ˌstōn How to pronounce Tombstone (audio)
city in the southeastern corner of Arizona population 1380

Note: Tombstone was site of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881.

More from Merriam-Webster on tombstone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!