Word
cemetery
Phoneticsceme·tery
US/ˈsɛməˌtɛɹi/
UK/sˈɛmɪtəɹi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a large area of land where dead people are buried. You usually find these places away from churches, often with many stone markers for the graves.
n. a large burial ground, especially one not located in a churchyard. Typically used to refer to secular or municipal sites rather than religious ones.
Examples
“The old cemetery is full of beautiful stone statues.”
“The city council decided to expand the local cemetery to accommodate the growing population.”
“Walking through the historic cemetery, one can trace the town's lineage through the weathered inscriptions on the Victorian-era headstones.”
Examples
simple
“The old cemetery is full of beautiful stone statues.”
contextual
“The city council decided to expand the local cemetery to accommodate the growing population.”
complex
“Walking through the historic cemetery, one can trace the town's lineage through the weathered inscriptions on the Victorian-era headstones.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cemetery” in context.
Verb
01. stroll through a cemetery
“They took a quiet stroll through the cemetery, reading the inscriptions on the weathered headstones.”
verb + prep + noun
02. visit a cemetery
“Every November, families visit the cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of their ancestors.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. consecrated cemetery
“The local priest led a procession to the newly consecrated cemetery.”
adj + noun
04. overgrown cemetery
“The old, overgrown cemetery was hidden behind a thicket of wild roses.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. cemetery gates
“The heavy iron cemetery gates are locked promptly at sunset every evening.”
noun + noun
06. cemetery plot
“The family purchased a large cemetery plot to ensure they could all be buried together.”
noun + noun
Preposition
07. in the cemetery
“Silence reigned in the cemetery, broken only by the occasional chirp of a bird.”
prep + noun
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific local site.
Real-World Examples
“Maltbie died in 1807 at age 48 and is buried in Stamford’s North Street Cemetery .” “Last year, Christian leaders say fires were deliberately set near the church and its adjoining cemetery.” “Jones, Hardy, Shepherd and Doncaster were laid to rest in a separate cemetery nearby; Hancock’s remains are buried elsewhere.” “An international team of scientists examined ancient DNA from human remains recovered at four hunter-gatherer cemeteries near Lake Baikal in East Siberia.” Etymology
From Middle English cimiterie, from Old French cimitiere, from Medieval Latin cimitērium, from Late Latin coemētērium, from Ancient Greek κοιμητήριον (koimētḗrion), from κοιμάω (koimáō, “I put to sleep”); compare cœmeterium. Displaced Middle English charnel (“mass grave, cemetery”) and Old English līctūn (“cemetery”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/cemetery