cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈse-mə-ˌter-ē 

-ˌte-rē

plural cemeteries

: a burial ground

Synonyms

• boneyard
• God's acre
• graveyard
• memorial park
• necropolis
• potter's field

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

Murphy's name was memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the cemetery. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 25 June 2024

Each of these towns had its own synagogue, celebrated religious holidays and had a Jewish cemetery. —Harry D. Wall, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2024

Her only known cause of death was scrawled on the receipt of her $7 burial at the local Muslim cemetery. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 17 June 2024

Trooper Corey King with the Kentucky State Police Post 16 told The Courier Journal that the Kentucky State Police has used cadaver dogs for at least two days, Friday and Tuesday, and searched the primary residence and nearby areas, including a cemetery. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 13 June 2024

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

Kids Definition

cemetery

noun

cem·​e·​tery ˈsem-ə-ˌter-ē 

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"