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

• 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

Only a limited number of artifacts are on display at one time on the museum’s two floors, which may disappoint Dylan’s most devoted followers. —Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

As part of the retrospective, the Academy Museum will screen 12 features and one regrouping 12 short films from Gaumont’s library of 1,600 titles; along with a program highlighting key moments in the company’s 130 years which will be screened throughout a one-month period at the museum. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025

Today, the estate has been meticulously preserved as a museum, offering visitors a rare peek into Miami’s Gilded Age and a chance to wander one of the most enchanting historic estates in the South. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025

And the eventual sinking came with the promise of a museum to commemorate the American legend. —Danny Freeman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025

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

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