headstone

[ hed-stohn ]

noun

1. a stone marker set at the head heads of a grave; gravestone.

headstone

/ ˈhɛdˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a memorial stone at the head of a grave
2. See keystone
   architect another name for keystone

Word History and Origins

Origin of headstone¹

First recorded in 1525–35; head + stone

Example Sentences

Chunks of concrete and large field stones lie about — a common grave marker for people who couldn’t afford headstones, archaeologists say.

From Washington Post

They find Jaguar’s grave along the cemetery’s main road, amid a sea of other headstones inscribed with the names of people who fought in conflicts many decades ago.

From Time

The tears are still there, but now I see the flowers laid on the headstones and am grateful for the passing of time.

From The Daily Beast

Alongside headstones honoring fallen Confederate soldiers, little flags flutter in the late spring breeze, each marked with the date when North Carolina seceded from the Union.

From Washington Post

While there’s some dispute as to where Johnson is actually buried, a headstone bearing his name and the word “Citizen” in Arlington Cemetery is widely thought to be his final resting place.

From Ozy

“Good bye boys, I die a true American,” were his last words, according to the headstone.

From The Daily Beast

Donations flowed in from around the world, and Spann finally got a headstone—30 years after he died.

From The Daily Beast

But the sight of that headstone made his existence more real to me, made me a little more humble and oddly very joyful.

From The Daily Beast

She was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery on Sept. 16, 2008, with a headstone saying, “Queen of Pin-Ups.”

From The Daily Beast

Four weeks ago, his family removed his expensive headstone from his grave, pulverized it, and placed the remains in a landfill.

From The Daily Beast

When all other service is vain from plant and tree, the soft Mosses and grey Lichens take up their watch by the headstone.

From Project Gutenberg

He sleeps with the undistinguishable multitude, and his headstone is lettered, "Unknown."

From Project Gutenberg

Above the coffin on Alderton's headstone is an ornament, apparently palms.

From Project Gutenberg

It is found, however, on a headstone of a somewhat weak design in Old Hornsey Churchyard.

From Project Gutenberg

Over the headstone presently came the knee pants, the faded calico waist with bone buttons.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• marker
• monument
• tombstone