Meaning & Definition of word "Tombstone"

Tombstone

/ˈtʊmˌstoʊn/

noun:

  • 1. A stone marker placed at the head of a grave, typically inscribed with the name of the deceased and dates of birth and death.
    • Example: The old cemetery was filled with weathered tombstones, each telling a story of those buried beneath them.
  • 2. A gravestone, especially one that has an inscription commemorating the deceased.
    • Example: After the funeral, they gathered around the tombstone to share memories of their beloved grandmother.
  • 3. A marker or sign of death or reminder of mortality.
    • Example: The abandoned house stood like a tombstone, a reminder of the family's tragic past.

Etymology

Derived from the combination of the words 'tomb' (a burial place) and 'stone' (a hard solid substance).

Common Phrases and Expressions

grave marker:

An object placed at a grave site to indicate the location of a burial.

mark someone's final resting place:

To designate the location where someone has been buried.

Related Words

grave:

A place of burial for a dead body.

cemetery:

A place where the dead are buried.

headstone:

A stone that marks a grave.

Slang Meanings of tombstone

Meaning: A referee's decision in sports, indicating a fatal error.

Example Sentence: The call was a tombstone that cost the team the game.

Meaning: Used to describe a final and often harsh conclusion to an argument or situation.

Example Sentence: That last debate point was the tombstone of his argument.