cement

1 of 2

noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

 also  ˈsē-ment

1

a

: concrete

b

: a powder of alumina, silica, lime, iron oxide, and magnesium oxide burned together in a kiln and finely pulverized and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete

also : any mixture used for a similar purpose

2

: a binding element or agency: such as

a

: a substance to make objects adhere to each other

b

: something serving to unite firmly

justice is the cement that holds a political community together

—R. M. Hutchins

3

: cementum

4

: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities

5

: the fine-grained groundmass or glass of a porphyry

cement

2 of 2

verb

cemented; cementing; cements

transitive verb

1

: to unite or make firm by or as if by cement

Pebbles were cemented together by clay.

has cemented his role as a leader on the team

—T. W. Smith

2

: to overlay with concrete

cemented the cellar floor

intransitive verb

: to become cemented

cementer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• adhesive
• bond
• glue
• size

Examples of cement in a Sentence

Noun

There is a layer of cement under the bricks.

what kind of cement works best on glass and pottery?

Verb

A win would cement her reputation as a strong competitor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her father was an Army veteran and union cement mason in the county. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

The only illumination was what passed through the corridor from the courtyard, a wedge of cold, muted light on the cement floor. —Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Verb

Draymond Green, who struggled with his jump shot on the night, hit three of four in the final minute to cement the win. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

Colorado is looking to cement its blue reputation in the 2024 election. —John Frank, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sement, from Anglo-French ciment, from Latin caementum stone chips used in making mortar, from caedere to cut

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing cement

• cement mixer
• ferro-cement
• portland cement
• rubber cement

Kids Definition

cement

1 of 2 noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

1

a

: concrete

b

: a fine powder that is produced from a burned mixture chiefly of clay and limestone and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete

2

a

: a binding element or substance

b

: an adhesive substance

3

a

: cementum

b

: a material for filling cavities in teeth

cement

2 of 2 verb

1

: to unite by or as if by cement

cemented their friendship

2

: to cover with concrete

cementer noun

Medical Definition

cement

noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment 

1

: cementum

2

: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities