noun
Smithsonian
smihth-SOH-nee-uhn
noun
1
The Smithsonian Institution — the large group of museums and research centers in the United States, founded in 1846.
"We spent the whole day exploring the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C."
adj
1
Relating to the Smithsonian Institution or its founder, James Smithson.
"The find was donated to a Smithsonian research collection."
How to Use Smithsonian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRefers to the famous American museum and research complex, or anything connected to it.
Word Forms
more Smithsonian comparative, most Smithsonian superlative
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Etymology
Named after James Smithson, the British scientist whose bequest funded the founding of the institution in 1846.