noun
Uncommon
mound
mownd
Mound (noun) means a raised pile or hill of earth, often built up rather than natural. Example: “Archaeologists uncovered an ancient burial mound.”
noun
1
A raised pile or hill of earth, often built up rather than natural.
"Archaeologists uncovered an ancient burial mound."
"Kids built a mound of sand near the water's edge."
"Moles had left a small mound of soil in the middle of the lawn."
2
In baseball, the raised area where the pitcher stands.
"The pitcher walked slowly back to the mound after the argument."
"The crowd cheered as the new pitcher stepped onto the mound."
"Fans watched the coach walk out to the mound to talk to him."
verb
1
To pile something into a raised heap.
"She mounded the mashed potatoes onto each plate."
"Workers mounded earth around the young tree to protect its roots."
"He mounded the snow against the door to keep out the wind."
How to use mound
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA raised pile of earth or other material, or the raised spot a baseball pitcher stands on.
Common mistake
Despite looking alike, "mound" is not historically related to "mount" — they come from entirely different roots.
Common pairings
burial mound
pitcher's mound
mound of dirt
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Word forms
- Plural
- mounds
- Third person singular
- mounds
- Past tense
- mounded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Archaeologists uncovered an ancient burial _____.
Etymology
From Old English mund ("protection, boundary"), from Proto-Germanic *mundō ("hand"); not related to "mount" despite the similar spelling.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mound
See all rhymes for mound →Frequently asked questions
What does “mound” mean?
The word “mound” means a raised pile or hill of earth, often built up rather than natural. In plain terms, a raised pile of earth or other material, or the raised spot a baseball pitcher stands on.
How do you pronounce “mound”?
“Mound” is pronounced mownd (/maʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mound” in a sentence?
Here is “mound” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists uncovered an ancient burial mound.”
What is another word for “mound”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mound” include pile.
What part of speech is “mound”?
Depending on how it is used, “mound” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mound” come from?
The word “mound” comes from Old English. From Old English mund ("protection, boundary"), from Proto-Germanic *mundō ("hand"); not related to "mount" despite the similar spelling.
Is “mound” a common word?
“Mound” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mound” have?
“Mound” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a raised pile or hill of earth, often built up rather than natural.
What is the difference between a mound and a hill?
A mound is a raised pile of earth, often built up deliberately rather than occurring naturally, whereas a hill is generally a natural landform. Mounds are frequently human-made, such as burial mounds or garden features, while hills form through natural geological processes.
What does "mound" mean in baseball?
In baseball, the mound is the raised area where the pitcher stands to throw the ball toward home plate. Its elevation gives the pitcher a mechanical advantage in delivering pitches.
Can mound be used as a verb?
Yes, mound can be used as a verb meaning to pile something into a raised heap, as in "mound the soil around the plant." This verb use is common in gardening and construction contexts.
