catacomb

[ kat-uh-kohm ]

noun

1. Usually catacombs. an underground cemetery, especially one consisting of tunnels and rooms with recesses dug out for coffins and tombs.
2. the Catacombs, the subterranean burial chambers of the early Christians in and near Rome, Italy.
3. an underground passageway, especially one full of twists and turns.

catacomb

/ -ˌkuːm; ˈkætəˌkəʊm /

noun

1. usually plural an underground burial place, esp the galleries at Rome, consisting of tunnels with vaults or niches leading off them for tombs
2. a series of interconnected underground tunnels or caves

Other Words From

• cat·a·cum·bal [kat-, uh, -, kuhm, -b, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catacomb¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English catacombe, Old English catacumbe, from Late Latin catacumbās (accusative plural); of disputed origin; perhaps from unattested Greek katakýmbās, equivalent to kata- + kýmbās, accusative plural of kýmbē “hollow, cup”; cata-

Word History and Origins

Origin of catacomb¹

Old English catacumbe, from Late Latin catacumbas (singular), name of the cemetery under the Basilica of St Sebastian, near Rome; origin unknown

Example Sentences

Stewart questioned: "Is there no one who can offer a more nuanced analysis of our newly formulated position in this conflict, preferably in some type of catacomb or echoey tunnel?"

From Salon

“There are countless tunnels, catacombs, and abandoned mines underneath this part of the city,” he said.

From Literature

At some point a local official in Paris suggested the catacombs under the city be emptied and sent to sugar factories.

From Science Magazine

A mysterious, multi-leveled dungeon has appeared in a tiny village after the catacombs beneath it split.

From Salon

One of the newly unearthed Saqqara masks was discovered outside a Greco-Roman catacomb discovered in 2019.

From New York Times