Tombstone - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A tombstone is a flat, upright stone marker placed at a gravesite to commemorate the deceased. It typically bears the person’s name, dates of birth and death, and sometimes an inscription.
Definition:
A stone marker placed over a grave, typically inscribed with the deceased's name and dates.
Synonyms:
gravestone, headstone, memorial stone
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
birth certificate, living being
Common Collocations:
weathered tombstone, engraved tombstone, ancient tombstone, cemetery tombstone, marble tombstone
Derivatives:
tombstones (plural), tombstonic (rare adjective)
Usage Tips:
Use "tombstone" to refer specifically to grave markers; avoid for other stone monuments unless metaphorical.
Common Phrases:
written in stone, tombstone pizza, tombstone territory
Etymology:
From Old English "tumb" (burial mound) + "stan" (stone), evolving to mark graves by the 16th century.
Examples:
- 1. The tombstone stood weathered but upright in the old cemetery.
- 2. She traced the faded letters on her grandfather's tombstone with her fingers.
- 3. The detective found a clue hidden near the tombstone in the murder mystery novel.
- 4. They placed fresh flowers on the tombstone every Memorial Day.