mound

1 of 2

noun

ˈmau̇nd 

often attributive

1

a(1)

: an artificial bank or hill of earth or stones

especially : one constructed over a burial or ceremonial site

(2)

: the slightly elevated ground on which a baseball pitcher stands

b

: a rounded hill or natural formation

2

a

: heap, pile

mounds of work

b

: a small rounded mass

a mound of mashed potatoes

3

archaic : hedge, fence

mound

2 of 2

verb

mounded; mounding; mounds

transitive verb

1

: to form into a mound

2

archaic : to enclose or fortify with a fence or a ridge of earth

Synonyms of mound

Noun

• bank
• mountain
• drift

Verb

• hill
• pile
• stack

Examples of mound in a Sentence

Noun

the burial mounds of an ancient people

a mound of dirty laundry

a mound of mashed potatoes

Verb

He mounded the food onto his plate.

a desk mounded with books and papers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The last hit scored the Rockies’ seventh and eighth runs, which meant free tacos for all in attendance, as well as the end of Rincon’s night on the mound. — Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

An undersea cable for an electricity project was set to go right through the popular mound of stones, but protesters were not having it. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

Mistakes to Avoid Never disturb a fire ant mound before treating it, says Abraham. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026

With a mounding growth habit, these plants require no pruning or deadheading to keep blooming for months. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1515, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mound

• bound
• browned
• crowned
• downed
• drowned
• found
• frowned
• gowned
• ground
• hound
• round
• sound

Kids Definition

mound

1 of 2 noun

ˈmau̇nd 

1

: a small hill or heap of dirt or stones (as one made to mark a grave)

2

: the slightly raised ground on which a baseball pitcher stands

mound

2 of 2 verb

: to form into a mound