graveyard

[greyv-yahrd]

noun

1. a burial ground, often associated with smaller rural churches, as distinct from a larger urban or public cemetery.

2. Informal.,  graveyard shift.

3. a place in which obsolete or derelict objects are kept.

   an automobile graveyard.

graveyard

/ ˈɡreɪvˌjɑːd /

noun

1. a place for graves; a burial ground, esp a small one or one in a churchyard

Word History and Origins

Origin of graveyard¹

First recorded in 1765–75; grave ¹ + yard ²

Example Sentences

The Middle East is a graveyard for ambitious plans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead of the traditional arrival by train, the stars were driven to a graveyard and set an opening challenge that saw them dig through soil in search of six available shields.

Read more on BBC

Is queer humanity just a transitory circus in years of flourishing and a graveyard in years of shriveling?

Read more on Salon

She travels to Savannah’s Bonaventure graveyard, abutting the Wilmington River, “where shrimp boats float, a mostly silent river that is only audible when a breeze shakes the trees and you hear the water whisper.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At the Sheidaee graveyard we found startling evidence of child deaths.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• burial ground 
• cemetery