cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms

• graveyard

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

It is said the bees gathered at the cemetery, resting on the tent over the grave and on the floral displays, returning to their hives after the service concluded. —Elizabeth Bass Parman, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Many bodies were relocated to cemeteries like Rosehill, Graceland and Oak Woods — but not all. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Two decades after a pregnant woman was found murdered at a rural Texas cemetery, a man has been charged, officials said. —Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025

Learning about cowboys while walking through a cemetery is the best preparation apparently! —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 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"