national cemetery
C1Formal, official, historical, ceremonial
Definition
Meaning
A burial ground maintained by a national government for the interment of military personnel, veterans, and sometimes other significant national figures.
Specifically in the US context, a cemetery operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the National Park Service for eligible veterans and their dependents; a site of national remembrance and honor.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies government ownership/management, a connection to military service or national significance, and a solemn, commemorative function. Contrasts with local municipal, private, or church cemeteries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is rarely used. The concept is more closely associated with specific sites like the 'Commonwealth War Graves' or 'Royal Military Cemetery'. In the US, 'national cemetery' is a formal, widely recognized category of federal property.
Connotations
UK: Primarily evokes historical war cemeteries from the World Wars, often overseas. US: Strongly evokes domestic sites for American veterans (e.g., Arlington), patriotism, and national gratitude.
Frequency
High frequency in US official, historical, and news contexts. Very low frequency in everyday UK English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The/This] national cemetery [honors/contains/is located][He/She] was interred at [the] national cemetery.Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery is determined by...The national cemetery's rolling hills [are/verb]...Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A final resting place of heroes”
- “Hallowed ground”
- “Fields of honor”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not typical. May appear in government contracting contexts (e.g., 'cemetery maintenance services').
Academic
Used in history, political science, and American studies papers discussing memorialization, military history, or public land use.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel to historic sites, family history of military service, or news reports about Memorial Day ceremonies.
Technical
Used in official VA/NPS documents, regulations concerning burial benefits, and land management plans.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The site was consecrated to national cemetery use after the war.
American English
- The new law will nationalize the cemetery, turning it into a national cemetery.
adjective
British English
- The national-cemetery commission oversees maintenance.
American English
- He received a national-cemetery headstone for his service.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw the national cemetery on our school trip.
- It is a very quiet place.
- Arlington National Cemetery is in Washington, D.C.
- Many American presidents are buried in national cemeteries.
- Eligibility for burial in a national cemetery is a key benefit for U.S. military veterans.
- The national cemetery was established by an act of Congress in the 19th century.
- The policy debate centered on whether to expand the criteria for interment at the overcrowded national cemetery.
- The serene landscape of the national cemetery serves as a powerful counterpoint to the violence experienced by those buried there.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: NATION's HONOR + CEMETERY. The nation cares for its heroes' final resting place.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NATION IS A FAMILY HONORING ITS DEAD. The cemetery is a physical manifestation of national gratitude and collective memory.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'кладбище нации' (nation's graveyard), which has a negative, catastrophic connotation. Use 'национальное кладбище' only in the specific US context, otherwise 'воинское кладбище' (military cemetery) or 'мемориальное кладбище' (memorial cemetery) may be more accurate.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'cemetery' with 'graveyard' (the latter is often smaller and church-affiliated). Misspelling as 'cemetary'. Using the term for any large or famous cemetery without the official national status.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a key characteristic of a U.S. national cemetery?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility is primarily for U.S. military veterans who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses, and dependent children. Specific rules are set by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, USA, is the most internationally renowned. It is the burial site for many U.S. presidents, Supreme Court justices, and over 400,000 military service members.
Not a direct equivalent. The UK's commemorative tradition is different, centered on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains cemeteries and memorials worldwide for war dead. Brookwood Military Cemetery is a large UK-based military cemetery, but it lacks the singular national symbolic status of Arlington.
Yes, most national cemeteries, especially famous ones like Arlington, are open to the public for visitation and often have educational programs and museums. Visitors are expected to maintain a respectful and solemn demeanor.