cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms

• boneyard
• God's acre
• graveyard
• memorial park
• necropolis
• potter's field

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

Carter made a point of showing me the family cemetery—a dirt patch surrounded by a hurricane fence. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024

The cemetery was designed to pay homage to Resurrection Cemetery from the original. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024

There was a heaviness being at the cemetery where fencing is all that distinguishes this 0.83 of an acre plot of land. —Rosalind Bowling, The Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2024

Starting next week, the Hermitage will begin including the cemetery in a free tour. —Travis Loller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024

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

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"