# headstone

/ˈhɛdˌstoʊn/ (US) · /hˈɛdstəʊn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/headstone
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a stone marker that sits on top of a grave. It usually has the name and dates of the person who is buried there.

For teachers: a stone slab or upright monument placed on a grave to mark the location of a burial. Typically inscribed with the deceased's name, dates of birth and death, and sometimes a short epitaph.

## Examples

- The headstone is covered in moss and lichen.
- The family visited the cemetery every Sunday to clean the headstone and lay fresh flowers at the grave.
- While many modern cemeteries use flat markers to save space, the traditional upright headstone remains a powerful visual symbol of the individual's final resting place.

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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.