museum

noun

mu·​se·​um myu̇-ˈzē-əm 

: an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value

American Museum of Natural History

also : a place where objects are exhibited

an art museum

Synonyms

• gallery
• exhibition

Examples of museum in a Sentence

a museum of natural history

a trip to the Museum of Natural History

Recent Examples on the Web

The new Excelsior Club would include a restaurant, meeting rooms and a museum. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

Inspired by museum collections and Art Deco design, the geometry and exactness of bold shapes in earthy tones are captivating. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

Though perhaps better known for her work in front of the camera, Liu is also a respected artist behind one, having exhibited her photography, as well as her paintings and sculptures, at galleries and museums around the world. —Brett Berk, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025

Through her Art Bridges Foundation, Walton has spent more than $500 million acquiring and loaning out works of American art to more than 230 museums across the country since the nonprofit’s founding in 2016. —Alicia Park, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin Museum place for learned occupation, from Greek Mouseion, from neuter of Mouseios of the Muses, from Mousa

First Known Use

circa 1660, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing museum

• historical museum
• museum piece
• wax museum

Rhymes for museum

• corneum
• hordeum
• luteum
• lyceum
• athenaeum
• coliseum
• colosseum
• mausoleum
• mycelium
• endothelium
• periosteum
• peritoneum

Kids Definition

museum

noun

mu·​se·​um myu̇-ˈzē-əm 

: a building in which interesting and valuable things (as works of art or historical or scientific objects) are collected and shown to the public

Etymology

from Latin Museum "a place devoted to the Muses, a place for the study of special arts and sciences," from Greek Mouseion (same meaning), from Mouseios "of the Muses," from Mousa "Muse, goddess of an art or science" — related to music

Word Origin

The ancient Greeks worshipped nine sister goddesses, each of whom was called a Mousa. In English we now refer to them as the Muses. The Greeks believed that each Muse was the goddess of a particular art or science. A place that was dedicated to these goddesses—and to the arts and sciences for which they stood—was called a Mouseion. The Greek Mouseion became Museum in Latin, from which it was borrowed into English about 300 years ago.