mausoleum
maw-zuh-LEE-uhm
Mausoleum (noun) means a grand, freestanding tomb, or a building built to hold one or more such tombs. Example: “The president was laid to rest in a white marble mausoleum.”
noun
1
A grand, freestanding tomb, or a building built to hold one or more such tombs.
"The president was laid to rest in a white marble mausoleum."
"Wealthy Victorian families often built elaborate mausoleums in the cemetery."
2
Informally, any large building or room that feels cold, silent, and lifeless.
"The old bank lobby, all marble and echoes, felt like a mausoleum."
"Their enormous house had become a mausoleum since the kids moved out."
How to use mausoleum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA grand tomb — or, loosely, any big, silent, tomb-like space.
Common pairings
a marble mausoleum
built as a mausoleum
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Word forms
- Plural
- mausoleums, mausolea
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The president was laid to rest in a white marble _____.
Etymology
From the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the immense tomb built around 350 BC for Mausolus, a ruler in ancient Asia Minor, and counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Class of 350
mausoleum joined the language around 350.
See the full Class of 350 →
Rhymes for mausoleum
See all rhymes for mausoleum →Frequently asked questions
What does “mausoleum” mean?
The word “mausoleum” means a grand, freestanding tomb, or a building built to hold one or more such tombs. In plain terms, a grand tomb — or, loosely, any big, silent, tomb-like space.
How do you pronounce “mausoleum”?
“Mausoleum” is pronounced maw-zuh-LEE-uhm (/ˌmɔ.səˈli.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “mausoleum” in a sentence?
Here is “mausoleum” used in a sentence: “The president was laid to rest in a white marble mausoleum.”
What part of speech is “mausoleum”?
“Mausoleum” is a noun.
Where does the word “mausoleum” come from?
The word “mausoleum” dates back to around 350. From the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the immense tomb built around 350 BC for Mausolus, a ruler in ancient Asia Minor, and counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
How many meanings does “mausoleum” have?
“Mausoleum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a grand, freestanding tomb, or a building built to hold one or more such tombs.
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