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.
These arches, made mainly of flowers, palm leaves, cane, and colored paper, are erected both at the entrances of homes and in cemeteries. Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024 Geological factors still play a role in finding a suitable site for a cemetery. David Bressan, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Zosia’s was Grave No. 75 at the unmarked cemetery in Pien, outside the northern city of Bydgoszcz. Reuters, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024 One would not be faulted, perhaps, for passing the cemetery and not giving it a second glance. Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2024 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 25 Nov. 2024.

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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