cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce cemetery (audio)
-ˌte-rē
plural cemeteries
: a burial ground

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She was buried in an unmarked grave in a segregated cemetery. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025 Someone stole 200 bronze vases off graves in a San Francisco Bay Area cemetery, California sheriff’s officials reported. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025 Fans by the hundreds have come to visit his grave to mark important occasions, from the 20th anniversary of his death — which turned into a riot when guards tried to close the cemetery — to his 50th birthday, according to the outlet. Makena Gera, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025 The gravesite Filled with over 200 graves, the cemetery is known as Sárrétudvari–Hízóföld. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cemetery 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cemetery was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near cemetery

Cite this Entry

“Cemetery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cemetery. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

cemetery

noun
cem·​e·​tery ˈsem-ə-ˌter-ē How to pronounce cemetery (audio)
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"

More from Merriam-Webster on cemetery

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