treasure trove

noun

1

: treasure that anyone finds

specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion which is found hidden and whose ownership is not known

2

: a valuable discovery, resource, or collection

Synonyms

• gold mine
• repository
• mother lode
• mine

Examples of treasure trove in a Sentence

Divers found a treasure trove of gold and silver in the wreckage of a ship that sank hundreds of years ago.

the ancient city, having been almost perfectly preserved under volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 years, is proving to be a treasure trove of archaeological information

Recent Examples on the Web

Songs crafted by artists who emerged in this era arrived like troubadours, bequeathing a treasure trove for troubled times. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

China's intent is to haul back to Earth a Mars treasure trove or rock and soil via its Tianwen-3 mission. —Leonard David, Space.com, 29 June 2025

Among that treasure trove of picks was the No. 12 selection in the 2022 draft, which became the indispensable talent of Jalen Williams. —Shane Young, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Instead of being among the crowds at St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, opt for the quiet streets in between that offer a treasure trove of architecture ancient and modern. —Emma John, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French tresor trové, literally, found treasure

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for treasure trove

• alcove
• mangrove
• clove
• cove
• drove
• rove
• shrove
• stove
• strove
• throve
• wove

Kids Definition

treasure trove

noun

-ˌtrōv

1

: treasure of unknown ownership found buried or hidden

2

: a valuable discovery

Legal Definition

treasure trove

noun

-ˈtrōv

: treasure that anyone finds

specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion that is found hidden and whose ownership is not known

Note: State law determines who is entitled to a treasure trove.