cement

1 of 2

noun

ce·​ment si-ˈment How to pronounce cement (audio)
 also  ˈsē-ment
1
a
b
: a powder of alumina, silica, lime, iron oxide, and magnesium oxide burned together in a kiln and finely pulverized and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete
also : any mixture used for a similar purpose
2
: a binding element or agency: such as
a
: a substance to make objects adhere to each other
b
: something serving to unite firmly
justice is the cement that holds a political community togetherR. M. Hutchins
3
4
: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities
5
: the fine-grained groundmass or glass of a porphyry

cement

2 of 2

verb

cemented; cementing; cements

transitive verb

1
: to unite or make firm by or as if by cement
Pebbles were cemented together by clay.
has cemented his role as a leader on the teamT. W. Smith
2
: to overlay with concrete
cemented the cellar floor
cementer noun

Examples of cement in a Sentence

Noun There is a layer of cement under the bricks. what kind of cement works best on glass and pottery? Verb A win would cement her reputation as a strong competitor.
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.
Noun
Historically, March begins the Great Lakes shipping season where commodities like cement, wheat, lumber, coal, iron ore and other products are transported by commercial boats across the inland seas to and from deep-water ports. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 That’s largely because tariffs affect essential home construction materials, including wood products, cement, steel, aluminum and appliances, so homebuilding costs are projected to rise. Mike Winters, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Nonetheless, a call to abolish the Department of Education became a frequent, if not universal, promise of Republican leaders in the ensuing decades—especially as conservative Christians cemented their place at the heart of the GOP coalition. Austin Steelman / Made By History, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025 Those who step up and embrace the change will cement their place as indispensable partners in their clients' eyes. Orla Murphy, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cement

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sement, from Anglo-French ciment, from Latin caementum stone chips used in making mortar, from caedere to cut

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cement was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cement. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cement

1 of 2 noun
ce·​ment si-ˈment How to pronounce cement (audio)
1
a
b
: a fine powder that is produced from a burned mixture chiefly of clay and limestone and used as an ingredient of mortar and concrete
2
a
: a binding element or substance
b
: an adhesive substance
3
a
b
: a material for filling cavities in teeth

cement

2 of 2 verb
1
: to unite by or as if by cement
cemented their friendship
2
: to cover with concrete
cementer noun

Medical Definition

cement

noun
ce·​ment si-ˈment How to pronounce cement (audio)
1
2
: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities

More from Merriam-Webster on cement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!