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

This is a lovely fundraiser to assist in the preservation of the cemetery, and the day is filled with master gardeners offering advice, madrigals singing, an archaeology talk, refreshments, kids’ activities and lots of lovely spring plants for sale. —Janet Kusterer, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025

Researchers in Campania began excavating a vast cemetery, or necropolis, on the edge of Liternum Archaeological Park as part of ongoing work at the site, the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan Area of Naples said in a March 21 news release. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2025

The first military burial at the Virginia cemetery, operated by the U.S. Army, took place on May 13, 1864. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

Representative Scott Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican, introduced a bill on Tuesday to disinter a veteran's remains from a military cemetery. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for cemetery

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

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"