arlington national cemetery: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, journalistic, historical, ceremonial.
Quick answer
What does “arlington national cemetery” mean?
A specific, large, and historically significant military cemetery located in Arlington County, Virginia, USA, serving as the final resting place for American service members and other notable figures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, large, and historically significant military cemetery located in Arlington County, Virginia, USA, serving as the final resting place for American service members and other notable figures.
A potent national symbol in the United States, representing military sacrifice, national honor, and collective memory. It is a site for official memorial ceremonies (e.g., on Memorial Day) and a place of pilgrimage for those honoring the deceased.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is a specific foreign location, mentioned in news or historical contexts. In American English, it carries deep cultural and patriotic resonance as a domestic national institution.
Connotations
For Americans: solemnity, patriotism, sacrifice, history. For Britons: a famous US landmark, a military cemetery of historical note.
Frequency
High frequency in American media and public discourse, especially around national holidays. Low frequency in general British English, appearing mainly in international news.
Grammar
How to Use “arlington national cemetery” in a Sentence
[Subject] visited Arlington National Cemetery.[Subject] is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.The ceremony was held at Arlington National Cemetery.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arlington national cemetery” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The report noted that several veterans were *Arlington-buried* in the 1950s.
American English
- The war hero was honoured to be *Arlington-eligible* for burial.
adjective
British English
- The documentary featured footage of the *Arlington* burial ceremony.
American English
- He received full *Arlington* honors at his funeral.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in tourism or event planning contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and American studies texts discussing national memory, military history, or ceremonial landscapes.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel to Washington D.C., news about state funerals, or Memorial Day observances.
Technical
Used in military protocol, public history, and heritage management discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arlington national cemetery”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arlington national cemetery”
- Incorrect: 'an arlington national cemetery' (using indefinite article/capitalisation). Correct: 'Arlington National Cemetery'.
- Incorrect: 'He is buried on Arlington Cemetery.' Correct: '...in Arlington National Cemetery.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily for military personnel, but it also includes the spouses and children of eligible personnel, as well as certain prominent U.S. government officials.
Yes, it is open to the public for visitation to pay respects and tour the grounds, though specific ceremonies may have restricted access.
Because it is administered by the U.S. Department of the Army and serves as a cemetery for American service members from all conflicts, making it a national, rather than local or state, institution.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument dedicated to U.S. service members whose remains have not been identified, guarded 24/7 by the U.S. Army.
A specific, large, and historically significant military cemetery located in Arlington County, Virginia, USA, serving as the final resting place for American service members and other notable figures.
Arlington national cemetery is usually formal, journalistic, historical, ceremonial. in register.
Arlington national cemetery: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑː.lɪŋ.tən ˈnæʃ.nəl ˈsɛm.ə.tri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːr.lɪŋ.tən ˈnæʃ.nəl ˈsɛm.ə.ter.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARLINGTON' has 'TON' of stones; it's a NATIONAL place of honor, not a regular CEMETERY.'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NATION'S SACRED GROUND (A cemetery conceptualised as a physical embodiment of national debt, honor, and collective memory).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'Arlington National Cemetery' in American cultural context?