1 tumuli | Definition of tumuli

tumulus

noun
tu·​mu·​lus | \ ˈtü-myÉ™-lÉ™s How to pronounce tumulus (audio) , ˈtyü-, ˈtÉ™-\
plural tumuli\ ˈtü-​myÉ™-​ËŒlÄ« How to pronounce tumuli (audio) , -​ËŒlÄ“ , ˈtyü-​ , ˈtÉ™-​ \

Definition of tumulus

: 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

Another surprising discovery is a giant tumulus near the town of Amphipolis in northern Greece. National Geographic, "Following in the Footsteps of the Ancient Greeks with Historian Diane Harris Cline," 8 Apr. 2019 The pressure may have pushed that tumulus to sea level. Megan Friedman, Popular Mechanics, "The Kilauea Volcano Created a Tiny New ‘Island’ Off the Coast of Hawaii," 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, "The Kilauea Volcano Created a Tiny New ‘Island’ Off the Coast of Hawaii," 16 July 2018 Resembling an ancient burial mound known as a tumulus, Maropeng's entrance blends artfully with the grassland surroundings. Smithsonian, "Accessibility Navigation," 27 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tumulus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tumulus

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for tumulus

Middle English, from Latin; akin to Latin tumēre to swell — more at thumb entry 1

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tumulus