museum

[myoo-zee-uhm]

noun

1. a building or place where works of art, scientific specimens, or other objects of permanent value are kept and displayed.

museum

/ mjuːˈzɪəm /

noun

1. a place or building where objects of historical, artistic, or scientific interest are exhibited, preserved, or studied

Other Word Forms

• intermuseum adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of museum¹

1605–15; < Latin mūsēum place sacred to the Muses, building devoted to learning or the arts (referring especially to the scholarly institute founded in Alexandria about 280 b.c.) < Greek Mouseîon, equivalent to Moûs ( a ) Muse + -eion suffix of place

Word History and Origins

Origin of museum¹

C17: via Latin from Greek Mouseion home of the Muses, from Mousa _Muse

Example Sentences

The entertainment company runs attractions including museums of oddities and aquariums around the world.

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This example is one of only nine still existing and the only one believed to be in private hands -- others are held in museums.

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She has been childminding for 35 years and spends a lot of her time in play centres, the museum and the library.

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She laid the gown neatly over a stunning Louis XV gilt wood armchair that would nowadays be in a museum.

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There would be libraries everywhere, and theaters and museums, parks and palaces—why, it was like something out of a book!

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Related Words

• building 
• foundation 
• gallery 
• hall 
• institution 
• library 
• salon