mausoleum

[ maw-suh-lee-uhm, -zuh- ]

noun

, plural mau·so·le·ums, mau·so·le·a [maw-s, uh, -, lee, -, uh, -z, uh, -].

1. a stately and magnificent tomb.
2. a burial place for the bodies or remains of many individuals, often of a single family, usually in the form of a small building.
3. a large, gloomy, depressing building, room, or the like.
4. (initial capital letter) the tomb erected at Halicarnassus in Asia Minor in 350? b.c.

mausoleum

/ ˌmɔːsəˈlɪəm /

noun

1. a large stately tomb

mausoleum

1. A tomb, or a building containing tombs. Mausoleums are often richly decorated. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum.

Derived Forms

• ˌmausoˈlean, adjective

Other Words From

• mauso·lean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mausoleum¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin < Greek Mausoleîon the tomb of Mausolus, king of Caria

Word History and Origins

Origin of mausoleum¹

C16: via Latin from Greek mausōleion, the tomb of Mausolus, king of Caria; built at Halicarnassus in the 4th century bc

Example Sentences

The Dominican Republic has long claimed that it is host to his body and a mausoleum is dedicated to him in the city of Santo Domingo.

From BBC

Virginia McCullough, 36, admitted fatally poisoning her father - and placing him in a "homemade mausoleum" - and stabbing her mother to death in June 2019.

From BBC

The court heard how Mr McCullough's body had been stashed away in a "homemade mausoleum" of masonry blocks in his study.

From BBC

A number of events are held at the Cathedral Mausoleum, Masonic Lodge, and Fairbanks Lawn, most popularly the Cinespia outdoor film screenings, which have expanded beyond just summertime to include an entire month dedicated to horror classics in October, with the 2024 lineup starting Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

In July, archaeologists found a large monumental building on the city's main road, and a shrine or mausoleum which may have honoured an important individual.

From BBC

Related Words

• burial
• cemetery
• coffin
• monument
• vault