# cement

/səˈmɛnt/ (US) · /sɪmˈɛnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cement
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. building material

noun · CEFR B1

a grey powder that you mix with water and sand to make concrete for building.

For teachers: a powdered substance of calcined limestone and clay used as a binder in concrete and mortar.

- The workers mixed the cement with water to start building the wall.
- The construction crew required several tonnes of high-grade cement to complete the foundation before the heavy rains began.

### 2. glue or adhesive

noun · CEFR B2

any strong glue or substance used to stick things together.

For teachers: any material with strong adhesive properties used for bonding surfaces or filling gaps.

- He used a special rubber cement to fix the puncture in his bike tyre.
- The technician applied a thin layer of contact cement to the laminate, ensuring a permanent bond between the two surfaces.

### 3. part of a tooth

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the hard, bone-like layer that covers the root of a tooth.

For teachers: a specialised bony substance covering the root of a tooth, also known as cementum.

- The dentist explained that the cement protects the root of the tooth under the gum.
- Periodontal disease can lead to the erosion of the dental cement, eventually compromising the structural integrity of the tooth's attachment.

### 4. to strengthen a relationship

verb · CEFR B2

to make a relationship, agreement, or idea stronger and more permanent.

For teachers: to establish a firm or permanent basis for a relationship, agreement, or reputation.

- The two companies signed a deal to cement their partnership for the next five years.
- The president hoped that the successful trade summit would cement his legacy as a master of international diplomacy.

### 5. to join physically

verb · CEFR B2

to stick things together using cement or a similar strong substance.

For teachers: to join or bond surfaces together using an adhesive agent.

- You need to cement the pipes together carefully to prevent any leaks.
- The artisan carefully cemented the mosaic tiles onto the backing, ensuring each piece was perfectly level with its neighbour.

## Examples

- The workers mixed the cement before starting on the wall.
- The construction crew poured fresh cement into the wooden frames to create the foundation for the new house.
- While the structural integrity of the bridge relies on reinforced concrete, the quality of the cement itself determines how well the structure resists moisture over several decades.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.