cenotaph

[sen-uh-taf, -tahf]

noun

1. a sepulchral monument erected in memory of a deceased person whose body is buried elsewhere.

Cenotaph

¹

/ ˈsɛnəˌtɑːf /

noun

1. the monument in Whitehall, London, honouring the dead of both World Wars: designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens: erected in 1920

cenotaph

²

/ ˈsɛnəˌtɑːf /

noun

1. a monument honouring a dead person or persons buried elsewhere

Other Word Forms

• cenotaphic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cenotaph¹

1595–1605; < Latin cenotaphium < Greek kenotáphion, equivalent to kenó ( s ) empty + -taphion ( táph ( os ) tomb + -ion diminutive suffix)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cenotaph¹

C17: from Latin cenotaphium, from Greek kenotaphion, from kenos empty + taphos tomb

Example Sentences

Theirs are among 51 names on that pale grey granite cenotaph.

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The two minute silence was observed and then politicians, dignitaries and military personnel began the wreath laying at the cenotaph.

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Inaugurated in 1932, the marble cenotaph honours the memory of Greek soldiers fallen in combat.

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Flowers and messages were left at the cenotaph in the One Direction performer's home town following his death in Argentina in October.

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Cleveland Police called the violence "staggering", with 43 people arrested after an event that started at the town's cenotaph.

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Related Words

• gravestone 
• headstone 
• marker 
• masterpiece 
• mausoleum 
• pillar 
• shrine 
• slab 
• statue 
• stele 
• stone 
• tablet 
• testament 
• tomb 
• tombstone 
• tribute