tomb

[ toom ]

noun

1. an excavation in earth or rock for the burial of a corpse; grave.
2. a mausoleum, burial chamber, or the like.
3. a monument for housing or commemorating a dead person.
4. any sepulchral structure.

verb (used with object)

1. to place in or as if in a tomb; entomb; bury.

tomb

/ tuːm /

noun

1. a place, esp a vault beneath the ground, for the burial of a corpse
2. a stone or other monument to the dead
3. the tomb
   a poetic term for death
4. anything serving as a burial place

   the sea was his tomb

verb

1. rare.
   tr to place in a tomb; entomb

Derived Forms

• ˈtombˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• tombal adjective
• tombless adjective
• tomblike adjective
• un·tombed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomb¹

1225–75; Middle English tumbe < Anglo-French; Old French tombe < Late Latin tumba < Greek týmbos burial mound; akin to Latin tumēre to swell. See tumor, tumulus

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomb¹

C13: from Old French tombe, from Late Latin tumba burial mound, from Greek tumbos; related to Latin tumēre to swell, Middle Irish tomm hill

Example Sentences

Sir Keir and the French president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in the French capital.

From BBC

Ahead of attending a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Macron and Starmer are expected to discuss Russia's ongoing invasion and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Downing Street said.

From BBC

Turner currently stars as diamond thief Joan Hannington in the ITV1 series “Joan,” wrapped production for the thriller “Trust” and is even circling the lead role of Lara Croft in Amazon’s “Tomb Raider” live-action series, according to Deadline.

From Los Angeles Times

Italian police released a photo of Belvedere squatting beside Escobar's tomb.

From BBC

Italian police released an image of Belvedere posing beside Escobar's tomb when they announced his arrest.

From BBC

Related Words

• burial
• coffin
• mausoleum
• monument
• pit
• vault