mummy

1 of 2

noun

mum·​my ˈmə-mē 

plural mummies

1

a

: a body embalmed or treated for burial with preservatives in the manner of the ancient Egyptians

b

: a body unusually well preserved

2

: one resembling a mummy

mummy

2 of 2

chiefly British spelling of mommy

Examples of mummy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Female mummies have been found to have markings on their thighs, abdomen and breasts. —Serena Billett, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2025

Other architectural details reveal the building’s history, from the cross above Rumi Bar’s entrance from its time as a church to the remarkable archaeological discoveries made on-site, including ancient mummies. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The researchers determined that the mummies’ perfume came from a complex mix of sources. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025

The mummy of the Mysterious Lady was not pregnant, and Egyptian mummies smell spicy, sweet, and woody. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mummie powdered parts of a mummified body used as a drug, from Anglo-French mumie, from Medieval Latin mumia mummy, powdered mummy, from Arabic mūmiya bitumen, mummy, from Persian mūm wax

First Known Use

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for mummy

• chummy
• crummy
• dummy
• gummy
• ramie
• rummy
• tummy
• yummy

Kids Definition

mummy

noun

mum·​my

ˈməm-ē

plural mummies

1

: a body prepared for burial in the manner of the ancient Egyptians

2

: an unusually well-preserved body