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

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."

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 notes

In plain EnglishA grand tomb — or, loosely, any big, silent, tomb-like space.

Common pairings

a marble mausoleum built as a mausoleum

Word forms

mausoleums plural, mausolea plural

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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.

· First attested 350

Class of 350 mausoleum joined the language around 350.

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Rhymes for mausoleum

geum museum perineum Ethereum linoleum coliseum petroleum Colosseum

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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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B2 vocabulary words