Meaning & Definition of word "Museum"

Museum

/mjuːˈziːəm/

noun:

  • 1. A building or institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting objects of historical, cultural, or artistic significance.
    • Example: The natural history museum has a fascinating collection of fossils.
  • 2. A place where objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific interest are displayed for public viewing.
    • Example: She took her children to the art museum to see the new exhibition.
  • 3. An institution that conserves a collection of artifacts and makes them accessible to the public.
    • Example: The museum offers guided tours to educate visitors about its collections.
  • 4. A repository or collection of various items, often relating to a specific theme.
    • Example: The science museum includes interactive exhibits on technology and space.
  • 5. An organization or institution that curates and manages collections for educational purposes.
    • Example: The contemporary art museum collaborates with local artists for unique installations.

Etymology

From Latin 'museum', meaning 'a place for muses'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

museum piece:

An object of special interest or historical significance, often exhibited.

museum-quality:

Referring to items that are considered of exceptional quality or worth exhibiting.

Related Words

curator:

A person in charge of a museum or other collection.

exhibit:

A display of items in a museum.

artifact:

An object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.

Slang Meanings of museum

Meaning: A place to take kids when they are bored.

Example Sentence: We're heading to the museum to kill some time with the kids.

Meaning: A term used to describe something outdated or old-fashioned.

Example Sentence: That old car is a total museum piece.