tomb

1 of 2

noun

ˈtüm 

1

a

: an excavation in which a corpse is buried : grave

b

: a place of interment

2

: a house, chamber, or vault for the dead

3

: a building or structure resembling a tomb (as in appearance)

tombless

ˈtüm-ləs 

adjective

tomb

2 of 2

verb

tombed; tombing; tombs

transitive verb

: bury, entomb

Synonyms of tomb

Noun

• burial
• grave
• cemetery
• sepulchre

Verb

• bury
• inter

Examples of tomb in a Sentence

Noun

the tomb of Alexander the Great

explored the historic graveyard and saw tombs that dated back two centuries

Verb

Forest Lawn is where many of Tinseltown's immortals are tombed for all eternity.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2012 and 2022, the discovery of a royal tomb containing an astonishing 58 elite females, 1,300 artifacts, six human sacrifices, and the burials of elite craftsmen alongside gold, silver, and bronze tools brought the site international attention. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 May 2026

The Roman-era tomb and mummy date back roughly 1,600 years. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026

In large processions, particularly in Iran and South Asia, groups carry models of Ḥusayn’s tomb (called a tazia in South Asia). —Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 May 2026

For a macabre detour from all the warm Mediterranean charm, go down to the underground tomb of Chiesa di San Nicolò, where mummified priests line the crypt walls. —Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 21 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tombe, from Anglo-French tumbe, from Late Latin tumba sepulchral mound, from Greek tymbos; perhaps akin to Latin tumēre to be swollen — more at thumb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tomb

• blume
• boom
• broom
• doom
• flume
• fume
• gloom
• glume
• groom
• loom
• plume
• rheum

Kids Definition

tomb

noun

ˈtüm

1

: grave entry 2 sense 1

2

: a house or burial chamber for dead people