noun
pyramid
PIHR-uh-mihd
noun
1
A large structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point, especially the ancient Egyptian tombs.
"They visited the Great Pyramid of Giza on their trip to Egypt."
2
A fraudulent business model where early investors are paid using money from new recruits rather than real profit.
"Thousands lost their savings in the pyramid scheme."
verb
1
To build up or arrange something into a pyramid-like shape or structure.
"The display pyramided dozens of tins into a striking arrangement."
How to Use Pyramid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA four-sided pointed structure, most famously the ancient Egyptian monuments, or a dishonest investment scheme built the same shape.
Common pairings
pyramid scheme
the Great Pyramid
Word Forms
pyramided past tense, pyramids singular
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They visited the Great _____ of Giza on their trip to Egypt.
Etymology
From Greek pūramís, possibly linked to a word for wheat cake, or possibly from an ancient Egyptian phrase meaning "height of a pyramid."