1
a
: concrete
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 together—
R. M. Hutchins
R. M. Hutchins3
: cementum
4
: a plastic composition made especially of zinc or silica for filling dental cavities
5
: the fine-grained groundmass or glass of a porphyry
cemented; cementing; cements
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 team—T. W. Smith
T. W. Smith2
: to overlay with concrete
cemented the cellar floor
: to become cemented
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
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
Cite this Entry
“Cement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cement. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cement
1 of 2 noun
ce·ment
si-ˈment 
cement
2 of 2 verb1
: to unite by or as if by cement
cemented their friendship
2
: to cover with concrete
cementer
noun
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