pyramid

CEFRB2

/ˈpɪɹ.ə.mɪd/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A solid shape with a pointed top and triangular sides.

  2. 02

    noun

    A large ancient stone structure with triangular sides.

Examples

  • The secret of the pyramid was brought to light by science.

  • The shape of the roof looks like a pyramid.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A construction in the shape of a pyramid, usually with a square or rectangular base.

  2. A solid with triangular lateral faces and a polygonal (often square or rectangular) base.

  3. An ancient massive construction with a square or rectangular base and four triangular sides meeting in an apex, such as those built as tombs in Egypt or as bases for temples in Mesoamerica.

More examples

In context

  • Build your pyramid with all cards face down, except the cards in the bottom row.

  • The company was organized as a pyramid, with a CEO in charge of four directors, each heading up a department.

  • They sit looking at the empty plate that had held a pyramid of sesame cakes. They have eaten them all.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

In Egypt, the Great blank of Giza is a very famous ancient monument.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From French pyramide, from Old French piramide, from Latin pȳramis, pȳramidis, from Ancient Greek πῡραμίς (pūramís), possibly from πῡρός (pūrós, “wheat”) + ἀμάω (amáō, “reap”) or from Egyptian pr-m-ws (“height of a pyramid”), from pr (“(one that) comes forth”) + m (“from”) + ws (“height”). Schenkel and K. Lang proposed hypothetical Coptic *ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲙ (*piram) or *ⲫⲣⲁⲙ (*phram) derived from Egyptian mr via metathesis as a source of πῡραμίς (pūramís) while Schenkel also suggested it being the source of Arabic هَرَم (haram) although the latter is considered far-fetched by Takacs.