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 of museum

• 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

As opposed to grander, more institutional museums which can feel staid or imposing, the staff here are all warm and welcoming. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026

Food trucks with a range of choices from burgers and Greek food to vegetarian and vegan options will be on site, while educational staff will be on hand with tutorials and chats, including the 38-foot River Rover mobile museum. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Great cities, like London, Paris, Madrid, Florence and Rome, that draw tourists to museums, markets, theaters, and restaurants, are considered especially open and exposed. — Scott Simon, NPR, 8 Aug. 2026

Shockingly, only a day or so later, on the night of October 13, 2025, the very same museum was robbed again, this time of several watches and jewelry, estimated to be worth over €1 million. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

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

• athenaeum
• coliseum
• colosseum
• mausoleum
• mycelium
• corneum
• hordeum
• luteum
• lyceum
• 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.