cemetery

noun

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

Synonyms of cemetery

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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.
Certain dates on the calendar meant time at a cemetery, standing before granite stones. — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 For decades into the early 20th century, the cemetery remained in the trustees’ care. — Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026 But the location of his grave was lost once British troops retook the city in late 1778 and occupied it through the war’s end, camping in the cemetery. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026 There is a cemetery in Galveston, Texas, where multiple members of my family are buried, too, actually going back more than five generations. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 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

Rhymes for cemetery

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Browse Nearby Words

cemeterial
cemetery
CEMF
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Cite this Entry

“Cemetery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cemetery. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of cemetery for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cemetery

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