Pyramid Definition

pĭrə-mĭd

pyramids

noun

Something shaped like this polyhedron.

American Heritage

Any huge structure with a square base and four sloping, triangular sides meeting at the top, as those built by the ancient Egyptians for royal tombs.

Webster's New World

A solid figure having a polygonal base, the sides of which form the bases of triangular surfaces meeting at a common vertex.

Webster's New World

A crystal form in which as many as 12 sloping faces intersect at a point.

Webster's New World

Any of various similar constructions, especially a four-sided Mesoamerican temple having stepped sides and a flat top surmounted by chambers.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
Great Pyramid
Pyramids of Egypt
ziggurat
stack
shrine
pile
heap
accrue
tomb
monument
remains

verb

To build up, mass, or heap in the form of a pyramid.

Webster's New World

To build (an argument or thesis, for example) progressively from a basic general premise.

American Heritage

To engage in (a series of buying or selling operations) during an upward or downward trend in the stock market, working on margin with the profits made in the transactions.

Webster's New World

To assume the shape of a pyramid.

American Heritage

To increase rapidly and on a widening base.

American Heritage

idiom

the (Great) Pyramids

the three large pyramids at Gîza, Egypt: the largest is the Pyramid of Khufu

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Pyramid

Noun

Singular:

pyramid

Plural:

pyramids

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Pyramid

the (Great) Pyramids

Origin of Pyramid

French pyramide, from Old French piramide, from Latin pyramis, genitive pyramides, from Ancient Greek πυραμίς (pyramís), of unknown origin.

From Wiktionary
Latin pȳramis pȳramid- from Greek pūramis of unknown origin

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition