tumulus
noun
tu·mu·lus
ˈtü-myə-ləs 
ˈtyü-,
ˈtə-
plural tumuli
ˈtü-myə-ˌlī
-ˌlē,
ˈtyü-,
ˈtə-
: an artificial hillock or mound (as over a grave)
especially
: an ancient grave : barrow
Examples of tumulus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Objects inside the tumulus included a number of relics associated with royal banquets such as bronze cauldrons, jugs, and bowls, as well as additional iron tools.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 June 2025
Melena flags a hand limply at her older daughter as Nanny hoists Nessa onto the edge of the cot, where the girl lies, inert and cringing, in the lee of the tumulus that Melena has become.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Nearby, the researchers found a 197- by 26-foot tumulus, or burial mound, and an extravagant array of Greek funerary goods likely left by merchants and mercenaries living in the area.
—Isis Davis-Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Aug. 2021
Another surprising discovery is a giant tumulus near the town of Amphipolis in northern Greece.
—National Geographic, 8 Apr. 2019
The pressure may have pushed that tumulus to sea level.
—Megan Friedman, Popular Mechanics, 16 July 2018
The running theory is that the island was a submarine tumulus created when the pressure of slow-moving lava lifts the crust above it.
—Megan Friedman, Popular Mechanics, 16 July 2018
Resembling an ancient burial mound known as a tumulus, Maropeng's entrance blends artfully with the grassland surroundings.
—Smithsonian, 27 Mar. 2017
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 June 2025
Melena flags a hand limply at her older daughter as Nanny hoists Nessa onto the edge of the cot, where the girl lies, inert and cringing, in the lee of the tumulus that Melena has become.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Nearby, the researchers found a 197- by 26-foot tumulus, or burial mound, and an extravagant array of Greek funerary goods likely left by merchants and mercenaries living in the area.
—Isis Davis-Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Aug. 2021
Another surprising discovery is a giant tumulus near the town of Amphipolis in northern Greece.
—National Geographic, 8 Apr. 2019
The pressure may have pushed that tumulus to sea level.
—Megan Friedman, Popular Mechanics, 16 July 2018
The running theory is that the island was a submarine tumulus created when the pressure of slow-moving lava lifts the crust above it.
—Megan Friedman, Popular Mechanics, 16 July 2018
Resembling an ancient burial mound known as a tumulus, Maropeng's entrance blends artfully with the grassland surroundings.
—Smithsonian, 27 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Tumulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tumulus. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tumulus
noun
tu·mu·lus
ˈt(y)ü-myə-ləs
ˈtəm-yə-
ˈtəm-yə-
plural tumuli
-ˌlī
-ˌlē
: a mound usually over an ancient grave
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