museum
myoo-ZEE-uhm
Museum (noun) means a building or institution that collects, preserves, and displays objects of scientific, historical, cultural, or artistic importance. Example: “We queued outside the museum to see the dinosaur skeleton.”
noun
1
A building or institution that collects, preserves, and displays objects of scientific, historical, cultural, or artistic importance.
"They're opening a new coin exhibition at the local museum."
"We queued outside the museum to see the dinosaur skeleton."
"The new wing of the museum is dedicated entirely to ancient Egyptian artefacts."
"They spent the whole afternoon wandering through the science museum."
How to use museum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place where valuable or interesting objects are kept and shown to the public.
Common pairings
visit a museum
museum piece
museum exhibit
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Word forms
- Plural
- museums, musea
- Third person singular
- museums
- Past tense
- museumed
Fill the gap
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We queued outside the _____ to see the dinosaur skeleton.
Etymology
From Latin museum ("place of study"), from Ancient Greek Mouseion, meaning a shrine to the Muses.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for museum
See all rhymes for museum →Frequently asked questions
What does “museum” mean?
The word “museum” means a building or institution that collects, preserves, and displays objects of scientific, historical, cultural, or artistic importance. In plain terms, a place where valuable or interesting objects are kept and shown to the public.
How do you pronounce “museum”?
“Museum” is pronounced myoo-ZEE-uhm (/mjuˈziəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “museum” in a sentence?
Here is “museum” used in a sentence: “The new wing of the museum is dedicated entirely to ancient Egyptian artefacts.”
What part of speech is “museum”?
“Museum” is a noun.
Where does the word “museum” come from?
The word “museum” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin museum ("place of study"), from Ancient Greek Mouseion, meaning a shrine to the Muses.
Is “museum” a common word?
“Museum” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a museum and a gallery?
A museum collects, preserves, studies, and displays objects of many kinds — historical, scientific, cultural, and artistic. A gallery focuses mainly on art, and commercial galleries also sell it. Put simply, museums are about preserving and educating, while galleries are primarily about showing, and sometimes selling, artwork.
What are the main types of museums?
Common types include art museums, history museums, natural history museums, and science and technology museums. There are also many specialized ones — military, maritime, archaeological, and children's museums, along with historic houses and open-air museums. Each focuses on a particular kind of collection or subject.
Why are museums important?
Museums preserve objects, art, and knowledge that might otherwise be lost, safeguarding cultural and scientific heritage for future generations. They educate the public, support research, and let people encounter history and other cultures directly. They also give communities a shared sense of identity and place.
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