Museum: meaning, definitions and examples

A place where historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural artifacts are preserved and displayed. It often has permanent collections and sometimes temporary exhibits.

• The Natural History Museum is a great place to learn about dinosaurs.
• We visited the art museum to see the new exhibit on modern artists.

A room or building that displays art, typically in a more focused and often commercial setting compared to a museum. It includes both public and commercial venues.

• We went to an art gallery to see the collection of contemporary sculptures.
• She bought a painting from a local gallery.

A public display of works of art or items of interest, often for a limited period of time. It can be held in different venues including museums and galleries.

• The exhibition of Renaissance paintings will be open until the end of the month.
• They are organizing an exhibition on ancient Egyptian artifacts.

A community space dedicated to the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage and activities. It may host events, classes, and exhibitions.

• The cultural center offers cooking classes that teach traditional recipes.
• There is a dance performance at the cultural center this weekend.

An institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting collections of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance.

• We visited the natural history museum to learn about dinosaurs.
• The art museum has a new exhibition on Renaissance paintings.

Refers to the central area of a city or town that has retained its historical significance, architecture, and cultural value.

• The historical center of Rome is filled with landmarks from the Roman Empire.
• Visitors flock to the historical center of Prague to see the old town square and astronomical clock.

A location designated as having significant cultural, historical, or natural importance, often protected for its value to the heritage of a nation or community.

• The ancient city of Petra is a famous heritage site in Jordan.
• The Great Wall of China is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A place or collection containing records, documents, or other materials of historical interest, usually for the purpose of research and preserving information.

• The university has an extensive archive of 19th-century manuscripts.
• Researchers spent months combing through the archive to find primary sources for their study.

A museum is a place where historical, artistic, scientific, or cultural artifacts are preserved and displayed for public viewing. It is suitable for contexts involving history, art, and general knowledge.

• We visited the art museum to see the new exhibit.
• The museum has an impressive collection of ancient artifacts.

A science center is a type of museum specifically focused on science and technology exhibits, often interactive and aimed at educational purposes, particularly for children and students.

• The science center has a new planetarium show.
• We spent the afternoon learning about space at the science center.

An educational institution is a place where people go to learn, such as a school, college, or university. This term is broader and typically refers to structured, formal education.

• Harvard is a renowned educational institution.
• The educational institution offers various courses and degrees.

An exhibition hall is a large space designed for displaying exhibitions, such as trade shows, art displays, or commercial expos. It is usually used for temporary and often commercial or specific theme-based events.

• The exhibition hall is hosting a tech fair this weekend.
• Spacious and versatile, the exhibition hall can accommodate various event setups.