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pyramid

n. · v.
US //ˈpɪɹəmɪd// UK //pˈɪɹɐmˌɪd// pyra·mid
  1. 1 ancient monument (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a huge stone building with a square base and four triangular sides, used as a tomb in ancient Egypt.

    a monumental structure with a polygonal base and triangular sides meeting at an apex, specifically those constructed as royal tombs in ancient Egypt.

    Example

    Many tourists travel to Egypt every year to see the Great Pyramid of Giza.

    Example

    Archaeologists continue to debate the precise engineering methods used to transport the massive limestone blocks required for the pyramid's construction.
  2. 2 geometric shape (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Math

    a solid shape with a flat base and sides that come to a point at the top.

    a polyhedron formed by connecting a polygonal base and a point, called the apex.

    Example

    The teacher asked the students to calculate the volume of a square pyramid.

    Example

    The glass entrance to the Louvre is a famous modern example of a perfect geometric pyramid.
    • polyhedron
  3. 3 hierarchical structure (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a system or organization where there are many people at the bottom and only a few at the top.

    a hierarchical structure or system that resembles a pyramid in its distribution of members or power.

    Example

    In a large company, the management structure is often shaped like a pyramid.

    Example

    The social pyramid of the era placed the landed gentry at the narrow peak, supported by a vast base of agricultural labourers.
  4. 4 to stack or increase (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to build something up into the shape of a pyramid or to increase something quickly.

    to arrange or build up in a pyramidal form; in finance, to use paper profits from a position to increase the size of that position.

    Example

    The cheerleaders began to pyramid, standing on each other's shoulders.

    Example

    The investor attempted to pyramid his holdings as the stock price rose, significantly increasing his market exposure.
Origin

From French pyramide, from Old French piramide, from Latin pȳramis, pȳramidis, from Ancient Greek πῡραμίς (pūramís), possibly from πῡρός (pūrós, “wheat”) + ἀμάω (amáō, “reap”) or from Egyptian pr-m-ws (“height of a pyramid”), from pr (“(one that) comes forth”) + m (“from”) + ws (“height”). Schenkel and K. Lang proposed hypothetical Coptic ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲙ (piram) or ⲫⲣⲁⲙ (phram) derived from Egyptian mr via metathesis as a source of πῡραμίς (pūramís) while Schenkel also suggested it being the source of Arabic هَرَم (haram) although the latter is considered far-fetched by Takacs.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Last updated June 20, 2026