Word
mausoleum
Phoneticsmau·soleum
US/ˌmɔsəˈɫiəm/
UK/mˌɔːsəlˈiːəm/
Definitions
01a stately tomb
n. a large, impressive building used as a tomb for an important person or family.
n. a monumental structure built as a tomb, typically for a person of high status or a wealthy family.
“The royal family was buried in a beautiful white marble mausoleum in the park.”
“The architect designed a neoclassical mausoleum to house the remains of the dynasty, ensuring the structure would withstand centuries of exposure.”
Formal
Teaching tip
This is a high-register word; for everyday contexts, 'tomb' or 'grave' is more common.
02a gloomy building
n. a large building or room that feels cold, dark, and empty.
n. a large, gloomy, and often decaying building or room that evokes the atmosphere of a tomb.
“Without any furniture or light, the old mansion felt like a cold mausoleum.”
“The library had become a dusty mausoleum of forgotten books, where the silence was heavy and the air felt stagnant.”
Literary
Teaching tip
Used figuratively to describe places that feel dead or depressingly quiet.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The service will be followed by a private burial in Norway's royal mausoleum in the Akershus Fortress.” “She will be buried beside her husband, Carl Dean, at Nashville’s Woodlawn memorial park and mausoleum.” Etymology
From Middle English mausoleum, from Latin Mausōlēum, from Ancient Greek Μαυσωλεῖον (Mausōleîon), from Μαύσωλος (Maúsōlos); named after Mausolus (?–395 BCE), satrap of the Persian empire and ruler of Caria, whose tomb was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/mausoleum