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noun Common

cement

suh-MEHNT
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Cement (noun) means a grey powder made from limestone and clay that hardens into a solid mass when mixed with water; the main binding ingredient in concrete. Example: “The builder bought three bags of cement to repair the garden wall.”

noun
1
A grey powder made from limestone and clay that hardens into a solid mass when mixed with water; the main binding ingredient in concrete.
"The builder bought three bags of cement to repair the garden wall."
"Cement dust got into everyone's hair while they worked on the new path."
"They mixed cement with sand and gravel to make concrete."
verb
1
To make something firm, permanent, or official.
"Years of shared holidays cemented their friendship."
"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
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Word forms

Plural
cements
Third person singular
cements
Past tense
cemented
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The builder bought three bags of _____ to repair the garden wall.

Etymology

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

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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solidify consolidate strengthen seal reinforce secure cementum

Antonyms

dissolve disintegrate detach

Related words

last found close join separate shut secure destroy

Rhymes for cement

element clement movement pavement tenement inclement abatement amusement statement agreement excrement amazement
See all rhymes for cement →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cement” mean?
The word “cement” means a grey powder made from limestone and clay that hardens into a solid mass when mixed with water; the main binding ingredient in concrete. In plain terms, a powder that hardens with water and binds building materials together — or, figuratively, to make something solid and lasting (like a friendship or reputation).
How do you pronounce “cement”?
“Cement” is pronounced suh-MEHNT (/səˈmɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cement” in a sentence?
Here is “cement” used in a sentence: “They mixed cement with sand and gravel to make concrete.”
What part of speech is “cement”?
Depending on how it is used, “cement” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cement” come from?
The word “cement” comes from Latin. From Old French ciment, from Latin caementum, "quarry stone" or "stone chips used in mortar.".
Is “cement” a common word?
“Cement” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cement” have?
“Cement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a grey powder made from limestone and clay that hardens into a solid mass when mixed with water; the main binding ingredient in concrete.
What is the difference between cement and concrete?
Cement is a grey powder made from limestone and clay, while concrete is the finished material made by mixing cement with water, sand, and gravel. In short, cement is an ingredient, and concrete is the hardened product that contains it.
What is the difference between cement and mortar?
Cement is the powdered binder itself, whereas mortar is a paste of cement, sand, and water used to hold bricks or blocks together. Mortar contains cement but is softer and stickier than concrete.

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