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.
There were no Haitian police officers at either the funeral or the cemetery, Joseph said. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 The small-dog park remained on top of the 100 African graves — though pets are prohibited from frolicking in the island’s other cemeteries. — Oliver Wu, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026 In another scene, as Nora and Alice watch Isabel’s body being moved from unmarked grave on Hart Island to an actual cemetery, Alice hands over the drive. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 After the church service, the crowd climbed up a steep hill and followed the hearses transporting the coffins to a nearby cemetery. — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cemetery

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