Word

cemetery

noun C1

UK /ˈsɛm.ɪˌtɹi/

US /ˈsɛm.ɪˌtɛɹ.i/

Meanings

noun

a place where dead people are buried, with graves and memorial stones

Definition

A cemetery is a place where people are buried after they die.

A cemetery is an area of land set aside for graves and memorials. It usually has headstones or monuments that mark where people are buried. Cemeteries can be public, private, or connected to a church, and they are often quiet places for remembrance.

Examples

I walked through the cemetery at dusk, reading the dates and reflecting on how quickly time passes.
She visited the cemetery every year to leave flowers beside her grandmother’s grave.
They restored the old cemetery carefully, clearing the overgrown paths without disturbing the stones.
We took a quiet shortcut past the cemetery, lowering our voices out of respect.
He stopped at the cemetery after the ceremony, needing a few minutes alone before heading home.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse cemetery with graveyard; a graveyard is typically attached to a church, while a cemetery is usually a separate burial ground.