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Definition of pyramid
1a : an ancient massive structure found especially in Egypt having typically a square ground plan, outside walls in the form of four triangles that meet in a point at the top, and inner sepulchral chambersb : a structure or object of similar form
2 : a polyhedron having for its base a polygon and for faces triangles with a common vertex — see volume table
3 : a crystalline form each face of which intersects the vertical axis and either two lateral axes or in the tetragonal system one lateral axis
4 : an anatomical structure resembling a pyramid: such asa : any of the conical masses that project from the renal medulla into the renal pelvisb : either of two large bundles of motor fibers from the cerebral cortex that reach the medulla oblongata and are continuous with the pyramidal tracts of the spinal cord
5 : an immaterial structure built on a broad supporting base and narrowing gradually to an apex the socioeconomic pyramid
pyramidally
adverbRead the Latest from M-W
Examples of pyramid in a Sentence
the ancient pyramids of Egypt
Recent Examples of pyramid from the Web
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In danger of collapse, the 6,500-pound, 8-foot framework and 14-foot pyramid-style roof, installed more than 130 years ago, were brought down in April by crane in a delicate operation.
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PYRAMID LAKE Lake will open to cutthroat fishing on Oct. 1.
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However, most of Miami’s soccer fans were a bit more skeptical of a team that plays in the North American Soccer League, a rung below MLS on the U.S. soccer pyramid.
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Its towering ziggurat, or step pyramid, was bulldozed in a final frenzy of destruction as Iraqi forces closed in last fall.
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In February, Nik Wallenda attempted to perform another high wire stunt with an eight-person pyramid.
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The media in both Egypt and Sudan have exacerbated the two nation’s differences, with sensational comments and some biting mockery that, on one occasion, touched on the size of Pharaonic pyramids in both countries.
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Among the most evocative is a shot taken in front of the pyramids of Giza, featuring a smiling Bell sitting between Lawrence and a sunglasses-wearing Winston Churchill on camels.
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Perhaps the finished product won't rank with the pyramids of Egypt (to shift my metaphor).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pyramid'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of pyramid
Origin and Etymology of pyramid
Latin pyramid-, pyramis, from Greek
pyramid
Definition of pyramid
intransitive verb
1 : to speculate (as on a security or commodity exchange) by using paper profits as margin for additional transactions
2 : to increase rapidly and progressively step by step on a broad base
transitive verb
1 : to arrange or build up as if on the base of a pyramid
2 : to use (something, such as profits) in speculative pyramiding
3 : to increase the impact of (something, such as a tax assessed at the production level) on the ultimate consumer by treating as a cost subject to markup
First Known Use of pyramid
circa 1900
PYRAMID Defined for English Language Learners
pyramid
playDefinition of pyramid for English Language Learners
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: a very large structure built especially in ancient Egypt that has a square base and four triangular sides which form a point at the top
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: a shape, object, or pile that is wide near the bottom and narrows gradually as it reaches the top
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: something that resembles a pyramid in the way its parts are arranged or organized
PYRAMID Defined for Kids
pyramid
playDefinition of pyramid for Students
1 : a large structure built especially in ancient Egypt that usually has a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point and that contains tombs
2 : a shape or structure with a polygon for its base and three or more triangles for its sides which meet to form the top
Medical Dictionary
pyramid
playMedical Definition of pyramid
1: a polyhedron having for its base a polygon and for faces triangles with a common vertex
2: an anatomical structure resembling a pyramid: asa: renal pyramidb: either of two large bundles of motor fibers from the cerebral cortex that reach the medulla oblongata and are continuous with the corticospinal tracts of the spinal cordc: a conical projection making up the central part of the inferior vermis of the cerebellum
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of pyramid
1 : a group of holding companies superimposed on one another to give those in control of the top holding company control over all of the companies with a small investment
2 : the series of operations involved in pyramiding on an exchange
3 : a pyramid scheme
pyramid
Legal Definition of pyramid
: to speculate (as on a security or commodity exchange) by using paper profits as a margin for additional transactions
transitive verb
1 : to use (as profits) in speculative pyramiding
2 : to increase the impact of (as a tax assessed at the production level) on the ultimate consumer by treating as a cost subject to markup
pyramid
Legal Definition of pyramid
: of, relating to, or being an illegal scheme in which participants give money or other valuables in exchange for the opportunity to receive payment for recruiting others to participate in the scheme
Learn More about pyramid
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See words that rhyme with pyramid Spanish Central: Translation of pyramid Nglish: Translation of pyramid for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pyramid for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pyramid
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