Spanish word

cemento

Pronunciation

IPA/θeˈmento/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncement

Example

Necesitamos cemento para arreglar la pared.

We need cement to fix the wall.

Illustration for cemento (cement)

More examples

¿Me ayudas a llevar un saco de cemento al coche?

Can you help me carry a bag of cement to the car?

Core concept

Fine powder that hardens into a strong binder when mixed with water.

Common phrases

  • saco de cemento

    bag of cement

  • comprar cemento

    buy cement

Similar words

hormigón: Dense rigid building mass of gravel and sand that sets hard with a powdered binder and water.
mortero: Thick spreadable paste of sand and powdered binder, workable with water for laying masonry.
yeso: Fine white gypsum-based powder that becomes a smooth surface coating for walls and ceilings.
pegamento: Sticky liquid or solid adhesive that joins objects and materials together.

Definition in Spanish

Polvo fino que, mezclado con agua, forma una pasta que endurece y se usa para unir o reparar materiales en la construcción.

Word origin

From Latin caementum 'cut stone' via Old French ciment, Spanish cemento developed to mean the powdered binding material used in construction.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Spanish cemento refers to the dry powder; concrete is hormigón (cement plus sand and gravel) so the two words are not interchangeable.

Word lists with this word