hypogeum
noun
hy·po·ge·um
ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-əm 
plural hypogea
ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-ə
: the subterranean part of an ancient building
also
: an ancient underground burial chamber
Examples of hypogeum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the main reasons the hypogeum has survived so well is because of its lack of natural light, which encourages the growth of biological organisms.
—
Julia Buckley, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2022
The Lego Roman Colosseum is three stories tall and that doesn’t include the recreation of the hypogeum, the subterranean chamber beneath the arena floor.
—Jonathan Bender, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2020
Inside the Roman Forum new exciting archaeological discovery: a hypogeum with a tuff sarcophagus from the 6th century BC.
—Fox News, 19 Feb. 2020
Silvio Berlusconi constructed an enormous mausoleum at his home in Arcore, near Milan, in 1994: the imitation hypogeum, fit for an Etruscan prince, includes carved niches and objects a media tycoon may wish to take into the next life.
—E.o’k. | Lazio, The Economist, 20 Aug. 2019
On most evenings, CoopCulture will run 75-minute tours, taking you through the main floor of the arena and to check out the underground space, known as the hypogeum, where gladiators waited before entering for battle.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2017
An interior view of the Colosseum's hypogeum after the restoration.
—Simon Dumenco, ELLE Decor, 6 July 2016
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Julia Buckley, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2022
The Lego Roman Colosseum is three stories tall and that doesn’t include the recreation of the hypogeum, the subterranean chamber beneath the arena floor.
—Jonathan Bender, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2020
Inside the Roman Forum new exciting archaeological discovery: a hypogeum with a tuff sarcophagus from the 6th century BC.
—Fox News, 19 Feb. 2020
Silvio Berlusconi constructed an enormous mausoleum at his home in Arcore, near Milan, in 1994: the imitation hypogeum, fit for an Etruscan prince, includes carved niches and objects a media tycoon may wish to take into the next life.
—E.o’k. | Lazio, The Economist, 20 Aug. 2019
On most evenings, CoopCulture will run 75-minute tours, taking you through the main floor of the arena and to check out the underground space, known as the hypogeum, where gladiators waited before entering for battle.
—Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2017
An interior view of the Colosseum's hypogeum after the restoration.
—Simon Dumenco, ELLE Decor, 6 July 2016
Cite this Entry
“Hypogeum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypogeum. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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