gravestone

Everyday

A stone put on a grave, with the name of the person buried there and words about them. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons pupils read gravestones in old churchyards to learn about people from the past; in stories gravestones appear in spooky scenes; in maths the dates on gravestones are used to work out ages, but here just think «birth to death». Phrases: «the words on the gravestone», «an old gravestone».

Examples

• We read the names on the old gravestones in the churchyard. tree →
• The gravestone was covered in moss. tree →
• Flowers were left by the gravestone. tree →
• Some gravestones have carved angels. tree →
• Her gravestone said «A loving mother». tree →
• The class drew rubbings of the gravestones. tree →

Note

Also called a headstone or tombstone. A grave is the hole in the ground where a body is buried; the gravestone stands on it. Be respectful in graveyards.