mausoleum

noun

mau·​so·​le·​um ˌmȯ-sə-ˈlē-əm  ˌmȯ-zə- 

plural mausoleums or mausolea ˌmȯ-sə-ˈlē-ə 

ˌmȯ-zə-

1

: a large tomb

especially : a usually stone building with places for entombment of the dead above ground

2

: a large gloomy building or room

She invited him out of the mausoleum of a parlour into the kitchen.

—D. H. Lawrence

Did you know?

Mausolus was ruler of a kingdom in Asia Minor in the 4th century B.C. He beautified the capital, Halicarnassus, with all sorts of fine public buildings, but he is best known for the magnificent monument, the Mausoleum, that was built by his wife Artemisia after his death. With its great height (perhaps 140 feet) and many beautiful sculptures, the Mausoleum was declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though Halicarnassus was repeatedly attacked, the Mausoleum would survive for well over 1,000 years.

Examples of mausoleum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stetson also plans to rebuild Hulley Tower, a campus bell tower and mausoleum that was destroyed by several hurricanes. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

The five-time Emmy nominee's remains are at a private, outdoor mausoleum section of the cemetery, named Sanctuary of Treasured Love. —Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Jan. 2026

Images from the state news agency KCNA show Ju Ae standing between her parents in the main hall of the mausoleum, a moment that analysts say has fueled speculation about her future role in the regime. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026

Martha's intention was for Samson to take Wicks' place in his coffin and emerge from the mausoleum with the Eve's Apple diamond secretly in hand. —Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek mausōleion, from Mausōlos Mausolus †about 353 b.c., ruler of Caria

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mausoleum

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

Kids Definition

mausoleum

noun

mau·​so·​le·​um ˌmȯ-sə-ˈlē-əm  ˌmȯ-zə- 

plural mausoleums or mausolea

-ˈlē-ə

: a large or fancy tomb

Etymology

from Latin mausoleum "a large tomb," from Greek Mausōleion "the magnificent tomb of Mausolus (ruler of Caria, an ancient country in Asia Minor)," considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world