noun

cement

suh-MEHNT

noun

A grey powder made from limestone and clay that hardens into a solid mass when mixed with water; the main binding ingredient in concrete.

"They mixed cement with sand and gravel to make concrete."

verb

To make something firm, permanent, or official.

"The victory cemented her reputation as the best in the sport."

"The agreement cemented ties between the two companies."

How to Use Cement

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA powder that hardens with water and binds building materials together — or, figuratively, to make something solid and lasting (like a friendship or reputation).

Common mistake

Cement and concrete are not the same thing: cement is one ingredient mixed into concrete, not the finished building material itself.

Common pairings

cement mixer cement a relationship pour cement

Word Forms

cemented past tense, cements plural, cements singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They mixed _____ with sand and gravel to make concrete.

Etymology

From Old French ciment, from Latin caementum, "quarry stone" or "stone chips used in mortar."

Rhymes for cement

element clement pavement tenement amusement statement agreement excrement amazement atonement implement placement

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