# sarcophagus

/sɑɹˈkɑfəɡəs/ (US) · /sɑːkˈɒfəɡəs/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sarcophagus
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a large stone box used for burying people in ancient times. It is often found in tombs and is usually made of marble or granite.

For teachers: a stone coffin, typically rectangular in shape and made of marble or granite, used for burial in ancient Egypt and other Mediterranean cultures.

## Examples

- The archaeologists discovered a gold sarcophagus in the tomb.
- The museum's most famous exhibit is a massive sarcophagus carved from a single block of limestone.
- While the outer sarcophagus was heavily damaged by centuries of erosion, the inner wooden coffin remained remarkably preserved, allowing researchers to study the mummification process in detail.

---

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.