cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms of cemetery

• 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

For the next two weeks, Rebin visited morgues, cemeteries, police stations, prisons, and forensic offices in Tehran and its neighboring districts. —Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026

Forty-eight years later, Calle would go back to Bolinas and buy a grave plot for herself in that same cemetery. —Elisa Wouk Almino editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

Spring Grove historian Debbie Brandt said that tale can't be confirmed with cemetery records. —Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Mar. 2026

But supporters are encouraged to line the route from the funeral home to the cemetery, beginning at 103rd Street and Cicero Avenue. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

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"