tomb
toom
Tomb (noun) means a structure or chamber, often built of stone, that holds the remains of the dead. Example: “Tourists queued to enter the ancient stone tomb beneath the hill.”
noun
1
A structure or chamber, often built of stone, that holds the remains of the dead.
"Tourists queued to enter the ancient stone tomb beneath the hill."
"The pharaoh's tomb was filled with gold and treasure."
"They laid flowers at the family tomb every year."
2
A grave, or figuratively, death itself.
"The old soldier hoped his memories would not follow him to the tomb."
"Many sailors found a watery tomb at the bottom of the sea."
"He carried the secret with him to the tomb."
How to use tomb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA burial chamber or grave for the dead, sometimes used figuratively to mean death.
Common pairings
ancient tomb
family tomb
silent as the tomb
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Word forms
- Plural
- tombs
- Third person singular
- tombs
- Past tense
- tombed
Fill the gap
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Tourists queued to enter the ancient stone _____ beneath the hill.
Etymology
From Old French "tombe," from Latin "tumba," from Greek "τύμβος" (túmbos), meaning "burial mound" or "grave."
Related words
Rhymes for tomb
See all rhymes for tomb →Frequently asked questions
What does “tomb” mean?
The word “tomb” means a structure or chamber, often built of stone, that holds the remains of the dead. In plain terms, a burial chamber or grave for the dead, sometimes used figuratively to mean death.
How do you pronounce “tomb”?
“Tomb” is pronounced toom (/tum/ in IPA).
How do you use “tomb” in a sentence?
Here is “tomb” used in a sentence: “The pharaoh's tomb was filled with gold and treasure.”
What part of speech is “tomb”?
“Tomb” is a noun.
Where does the word “tomb” come from?
The word “tomb” comes from Latin. From Old French "tombe," from Latin "tumba," from Greek "τύμβος" (túmbos), meaning "burial mound" or "grave.".
Is “tomb” a common word?
“Tomb” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tomb” have?
“Tomb” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure or chamber, often built of stone, that holds the remains of the dead.
What is the difference between a 'tomb' and a 'grave'?
A 'grave' is usually a hole dug in the ground for burial, often marked with a simple headstone. A 'tomb' is a built structure or chamber, frequently of stone, that holds the remains of the dead, and it is often larger and more permanent than a plain grave.
What is the difference between a 'tomb' and a 'crypt'?
A 'crypt' is specifically an underground chamber, often beneath a church, used for burial. A 'tomb' is the more general word for any structure or chamber holding the dead, whether above or below ground.
What is the difference between a 'tomb' and a 'mausoleum'?
A 'mausoleum' is a large, freestanding, above-ground building made to house one or more tombs. A 'tomb' is the broader term: every mausoleum contains a tomb, but not every tomb is a mausoleum.
What is the difference between a 'tomb' and a 'sarcophagus'?
A 'sarcophagus' is a stone coffin or container for a body, often carved and decorated. A 'tomb' is the wider structure or chamber that may hold a sarcophagus inside it.
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