# mausoleum

/ˌmɔsəˈɫiəm/ (US) · /mˌɔːsəlˈiːəm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mausoleum
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a stately tomb

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a large, impressive building used as a tomb for an important person or family.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: This is a high-register word; for everyday contexts, 'tomb' or 'grave' is more common.

### 2. a gloomy building

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

a large building or room that feels cold, dark, and empty.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: Used figuratively to describe places that feel dead or depressingly quiet.

## Examples

- The king's mausoleum is a famous tourist attraction.
- Archaeologists discovered the remains of a massive mausoleum hidden beneath the sand in the ancient city.
- The construction of the mausoleum was intended to ensure the emperor's legacy would be remembered for centuries, featuring intricate carvings and a towering marble structure.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.