Museum: meaning, definitions and examples

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museum

[mjuːˈzɪəm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

art

A museum is a building where important cultural, historical, or artistic objects are preserved and displayed for public viewing. Museums often have collections of artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art that provide insight into different time periods and cultures.

Synonyms

cultural center, exhibition, gallery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
museum	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.
gallery	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.
exhibition	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.
cultural center	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.

Examples of usage

We spent the afternoon exploring the museum's collection of ancient artifacts.
The museum's latest exhibit showcases the work of contemporary artists.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

history

A museum is an institution that collects, preserves, and interprets objects of historical significance. These objects can include documents, photographs, tools, clothing, and other items that help us understand the past.

Synonyms

archive, heritage site, historical center.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
museum	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.
historical center	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.
heritage site	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.
archive	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.

Examples of usage

The museum's interactive exhibits offer visitors a hands-on experience of history.
The museum's archives contain a wealth of information about the region's past.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

science

A museum is a facility that houses collections of scientific specimens, artifacts, and educational displays. These museums often focus on topics such as natural history, physics, astronomy, and technology.

Synonyms

educational institution, exhibition hall, science center.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
museum	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.
science center	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.
educational institution	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.
exhibition hall	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.

Examples of usage

The museum's dinosaur exhibit is a favorite among young visitors.
The science museum offers interactive displays and hands-on experiments for visitors.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

Museums date back to ancient Greece, where they were dedicated to the Muses, the goddesses of the arts and sciences.
The oldest known museum, the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, was opened in 1683 and houses artifacts from around the world.
In the 19th century, many museums were established to preserve national heritage and educate the public.

Cultural Significance

Museums serve as vital community spaces where people gather to appreciate art, culture, and history together.
They play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, providing context to society's evolution.
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) estimates there are over 55,000 museums worldwide, highlighting their global reach.

Educational Role

Many museums offer interactive exhibits that make learning fun, especially for children.
They provide educational programs, workshops, and tours tailored to different age groups and interests.
Visitors can learn about everything from ancient civilizations to modern art through various displays and activities.

Sustainability Initiatives

Increasingly, museums are adopting sustainable practices to minimize their environmental impact.
Some museums use solar panels and energy-efficient systems to reduce carbon footprints.
Exhibits are being designed to educate the public about sustainability and encourage conservation.

Translations

Translations of the word "museum" in other languages:

🇵🇹 museu

🇮🇳 संग्रहालय

🇩🇪 Museum

🇮🇩 museum

🇺🇦 музей

🇵🇱 muzeum

🇯🇵 博物館

🇫🇷 musée

🇪🇸 museo

🇹🇷 müze

🇰🇷 박물관

🇸🇦 متحف

🇨🇿 muzeum

🇸🇰 múzeum

🇨🇳 博物馆

🇸🇮 muzej

🇮🇸 safn

🇰🇿 мұражай

🇬🇪 მუზეუმი

🇦🇿 muzey

🇲🇽 museo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,726, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4723 winning
4724 plots
4725 placement
4726 museum
4727 meaningful
4728 verb
4729 deputy
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