pyramid

B2 Topic:Mathematics & Measurement

US /ˈpɪrəmɪd/ UK /ˈpɪrəmɪd/ See IPA manual

Freq #8064

Meanings

1

noun
a solid shape with a polygonal base and triangular sides that meet at a point

The students calculated the volume of a square-based pyramid.
2

noun
a monumental structure with sloping triangular sides, especially one built as an ancient Egyptian tomb

The pyramid rose above the desert plateau.
3

noun
a system or arrangement with many people or things at the bottom and progressively fewer toward the top

Only a few executives occupy the top of the corporate pyramid.
4

verb
to arrange, build up, or increase in the form or manner of a pyramid

The acrobats pyramided into a three-level formation.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · a monumental structure with... monument tomb

3 noun · a system or arrangement... hierarchy

4 verb · to arrange, build up, or... stack accumulate

Word family

Derived forms pyramidalpyramidicbipyramid

Related forms trianglepolyhedronhierarchy

Common collocations

pyramid scheme Noun + noun

Etymology

Through French and Latin pyramis from Ancient Greek pyramis, "pyramid." The Greek word's deeper origin is uncertain; proposed Egyptian and Greek derivations remain disputed. Figurative uses preserve the structure's broad base and narrowing summit.

Topics

Mathematics & Measurement

External links

# pyramid

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈpɪrəmɪd/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈpɪrəmɪd/
**Frequency rank:** 8064

## Meanings
1. a solid shape with a polygonal base and triangular sides that meet at a point
2. a monumental structure with sloping triangular sides, especially one built as an ancient Egyptian tomb
3. a system or arrangement with many people or things at the bottom and progressively fewer toward the top
4. to arrange, build up, or increase in the form or manner of a pyramid

## Examples
- The students calculated the volume of a square-based pyramid.
- The pyramid rose above the desert plateau.
- Only a few executives occupy the top of the corporate pyramid.
- The acrobats pyramided into a three-level formation.

## Synonyms
- hierarchy
- monument

## Derived Forms
- pyramidal
- pyramidic
- bipyramid

## Related Forms
- triangle
- polyhedron
- hierarchy

## Etymology
Through French and Latin pyramis from Ancient Greek pyramis, "pyramid." The Greek word's deeper origin is uncertain; proposed Egyptian and Greek derivations remain disputed. Figurative uses preserve the structure's broad base and narrowing summit.

## Topics
- Mathematics & Measurement

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