Pyramid

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɪɹəmɪd/

Alternative forms

• piramis obsolete

Origin

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

Full definition of pyramid

Noun

1. An ancient massive construction with a square or rectangular base and four triangular sides meeting in an apex, such as those built as tombs in Egypt or as bases for temples in Mesoamerica.
2. A construction in the shape of a pyramid, usually with a square or rectangular base.
3. (geometry) A solid with triangular lateral faces and a polygonal (often square or rectangular) base.
4. (UK, dated) The game of pool in which the balls are placed in the form of a triangle at spot.
5. A pyramid scheme.

Derived terms

• pyramidal
• pyramidism
• pyramidize
• pyramidologist
• pyramidology
• pyramid scheme

Verb

1. (transitive, genetics) To combine (a series of genes) into a single genotype.----