cement
ce·ment [cement cements cemented cementing] noun, verb BrE [sɪˈment] NAmE [sɪˈment]
noun uncountable
1. a grey powder made by burning ↑clay and ↑lime that sets hard when it is mixed with water. Cement is used in building to stick bricks together and to make very hard surfaces
•Use a mixture of one part cement to four parts sand.
2. the hard substance that is formed when cement becomes dry and hard
•a floor of cement
•a cement floor
see also ↑concrete, ↑mortar
3. a soft substance that becomes hard when dry and is used for sticking things together or filling in holes
•dental cement (= for filling holes in teeth)
4. (formal)something that unites people in a common interest
•values which are the cement of society
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ciment (noun), cimenter (verb), from Latin caementum ‘quarry stone’, from caedere ‘hew’.
verb
1. often passive ~ A and B (together) to join two things together using ↑cement, glue, etc.
2. ~ sth to make a relationship, an agreement, etc. stronger
Syn: ↑strengthen
•The President's visit was intended to cement the alliance between the two countries.
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ciment (noun), cimenter (verb), from Latin caementum ‘quarry stone’, from caedere ‘hew’.
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