noun
Common
pyramid
PIHR-uh-mihd
Pyramid (noun) means a large structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the ancient Egyptian tombs. Example: “They visited the Great Pyramid of Giza on their trip to Egypt.”
noun
1
A large structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the ancient Egyptian tombs.
"They visited the Great Pyramid of Giza on their trip to Egypt."
"The tourists climbed around the base of the pyramid as the sun began to set."
"Our teacher showed us how workers might have moved huge stones to build each pyramid."
2
A fraudulent business model where early investors are paid using money from new recruits rather than real profit.
"Thousands lost their savings in the pyramid scheme."
"The police warned that the investment offer was really a pyramid that would collapse."
"Anyone who joins a pyramid late will almost certainly lose their money."
verb
1
To build up or arrange something into a pyramid-like shape or structure.
"The display pyramided dozens of tins into a striking arrangement."
How to use pyramid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA four-sided pointed structure, most famously the ancient Egyptian monuments, or a dishonest investment scheme built the same shape.
Common pairings
pyramid scheme
the Great Pyramid
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- pyramids
- Past tense
- pyramided
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They visited the Great _____ of Giza on their trip to Egypt.
Etymology
From Greek pūramís, possibly linked to a word for wheat cake, or possibly from an ancient Egyptian phrase meaning "height of a pyramid."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pyramid
See all rhymes for pyramid →Frequently asked questions
What does “pyramid” mean?
The word “pyramid” means a large structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the ancient Egyptian tombs. In plain terms, a four-sided pointed structure, most famously the ancient Egyptian monuments, or a dishonest investment scheme built the same shape.
How do you pronounce “pyramid”?
“Pyramid” is pronounced PIHR-uh-mihd (/ˈpɪɹ.ə.mɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “pyramid” in a sentence?
Here is “pyramid” used in a sentence: “They visited the Great Pyramid of Giza on their trip to Egypt.”
What part of speech is “pyramid”?
Depending on how it is used, “pyramid” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pyramid” come from?
The word “pyramid” comes from Greek. From Greek pūramís, possibly linked to a word for wheat cake, or possibly from an ancient Egyptian phrase meaning "height of a pyramid.".
Is “pyramid” a common word?
“Pyramid” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pyramid” have?
“Pyramid” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the ancient Egyptian tombs.
What is the difference between a pyramid and a pyramid scheme?
A pyramid, in its literal sense, is a large structure with a square base and triangular sides meeting at a point, like the ancient Egyptian tombs. A pyramid scheme is unrelated to architecture and instead describes a fraudulent business model where early investors are paid using money from new recruits rather than genuine profit.
Why is a fraudulent business model called a pyramid scheme?
It is called a pyramid scheme because the structure of recruitment resembles a pyramid shape, with a small number of people at the top and an ever-widening base of new recruits below. Money flows upward from new participants to earlier ones, rather than coming from real sales or profit.
How is "pyramid" used as a verb?
As a verb, "pyramid" means to build up or arrange something into a pyramid-like shape or structure, with a wide base narrowing toward a point. It can describe stacking physical objects or organizing something in a tiered, escalating way.
