museum

noun

mu·​se·​um myu̇-ˈzē-əm How to pronounce museum (audio)
: an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value
American Museum of Natural History
also : a place where objects are exhibited
an art museum

Examples of museum in a Sentence

a museum of natural history a trip to the Museum of Natural History
Recent Examples on the Web Residents can also tour the home where Elvis Presley grew up, visit the museum dedicated to him, and see the church where the Presley family attended services. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2024 Schweitzer said that packing and moving a museum is not as simple as packing and moving a house. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 The Marine isn’t a house museum, though people lived there in splendor from 1774 to around 1792. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 9 Mar. 2024 That's why the museum is holding an eclipse celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., which will see an 89% partial eclipse. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 This is an outfit that could easily be worn to a social gathering, to visit a museum, or to attend dinner with friends. Melisa Vargas, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2024 The artifact will go on display in a new permanent exhibition at the museum this summer. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Doors open into what looks like a museum of memorable Hollywood moments. Lisa Richwine, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Vote now on the best burger in metro Phoenix Families can get free admission to museums, performances all around Arizona. The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'museum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin Museum place for learned occupation, from Greek Mouseion, from neuter of Mouseios of the Muses, from Mousa

First Known Use

circa 1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of museum was circa 1660

Dictionary Entries Near museum

Cite this Entry

“Museum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/museum. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

museum

noun
mu·​se·​um myu̇-ˈzē-əm How to pronounce museum (audio)
: a building in which interesting and valuable things (as works of art or historical or scientific objects) are collected and shown to the public
Etymology

from Latin Museum "a place devoted to the Muses, a place for the study of special arts and sciences," from Greek Mouseion (same meaning), from Mouseios "of the Muses," from Mousa "Muse, goddess of an art or science" — related to music

Word Origin
The ancient Greeks worshipped nine sister goddesses, each of whom was called a Mousa. In English we now refer to them as the Muses. The Greeks believed that each Muse was the goddess of a particular art or science. A place that was dedicated to these goddesses—and to the arts and sciences for which they stood—was called a Mouseion. The Greek Mouseion became Museum in Latin, from which it was borrowed into English about 300 years ago.

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