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

Spring Grove Cemetery in Spring Grove Village is one of the most historic cemeteries in the United States. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 16 Dec. 2024

When our first spouses died, they were each interred in different local cemeteries. —R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024

The war veterans' section in the cemetery at the edge of Pavlohrad has rows of fresh graves. —Michael Robinson Chávez, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024

The names of those who could not be identified were recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the cemetery. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 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"