stupa

[ stoo-puh ]

noun

1. a monumental pile of earth or other material, in memory of Buddha or a Buddhist saint, and commemorating some event or marking a sacred spot.

stupa

/ ˈstuːpə /

noun

1. a domed edifice housing Buddhist or Jain relics Also calledtope

Word History and Origins

Origin of stupa¹

First recorded in 1875–80, stupa is from the Sanskrit word stūpa

Word History and Origins

Origin of stupa¹

C19: from Sanskrit: dome

Example Sentences

He has also designed an artificial spring in the shape of an ice stupa - a hemispherical structure common in Buddhist cultures - that stores downstream water for use during late spring when farmers need water.

From BBC

A devotee knelt and gently touched his head on the dome of the Boudhanath Stupa, an iconic Buddhist monument in Kathmandu, as a mark of reverence on Thursday, which marks the birth of Buddha.

From Seattle Times

They also provide a surprising source of entertainment - hotly contested competitions for the tallest stupa take place annually.

From BBC

One of El Teatro’s interior walls is a kind of “Zoot Suit” stupa.

From Los Angeles Times

“I pray day and night and light candles at Boudhanath stupa for his well-being when he remains away from home,” his wife, Lakpa Jangmu, said, referring to a Buddhist shrine in Kathmandu.

From New York Times