noun
Uncommon
Smithsonian
smihth-SOH-nee-uhn
Smithsonian (noun) means the Smithsonian Institution — the large group of museums and research centers in the United States, founded in 1846. Example: “We spent the whole day exploring the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.”
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.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more Smithsonian
- Superlative
- most Smithsonian
Fill the gap
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We spent the whole day exploring the _____ in Washington, D.C.
Etymology
Named after James Smithson, the British scientist whose bequest funded the founding of the institution in 1846.
Class of 1846
Smithsonian joined the language around 1846.
See the full Class of 1846 →
Rhymes for Smithsonian
See all rhymes for Smithsonian →Frequently asked questions
What does “Smithsonian” mean?
The word “Smithsonian” means the Smithsonian Institution — the large group of museums and research centers in the United States, founded in 1846. In plain terms, refers to the famous American museum and research complex, or anything connected to it.
How do you pronounce “Smithsonian”?
“Smithsonian” is pronounced smihth-SOH-nee-uhn (/smɪθˈsəʊni.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Smithsonian” in a sentence?
Here is “Smithsonian” used in a sentence: “We spent the whole day exploring the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.”
What part of speech is “Smithsonian”?
Depending on how it is used, “Smithsonian” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “Smithsonian” come from?
The word “Smithsonian” dates back to around 1846. Named after James Smithson, the British scientist whose bequest funded the founding of the institution in 1846.
Is “Smithsonian” a common word?
“Smithsonian” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Smithsonian” have?
“Smithsonian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the Smithsonian Institution — the large group of museums and research centers in the United States, founded in 1846.
