mummy

1 of 2

noun

mum·​my ˈmə-mē How to pronounce mummy (audio)
plural mummies
Synonyms of mummynext
1
a
: a body embalmed or treated for burial with preservatives in the manner of the ancient Egyptians
b
: a body unusually well preserved
2
: one resembling a mummy

mummy

2 of 2

chiefly British spelling of mommy

Examples of mummy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
In Chile, researchers recently discovered ancient smallpox DNA in two centuries-old mummies, providing the first genetic evidence of the disease in that region of South America. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Discovered in the titular city, they were attached to mummies of elite individuals who lived in Egypt during the Roman Period. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 Snoopy and Woodstock line the outside of the bowl in costumes like cowboys, mummies, bandits, and witches. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2026 The paint was soon being mass-produced in Europe, inspiring shady dealings that even included outright grave robbing to acquire as many mummies as possible. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 29, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mummy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mummie powdered parts of a mummified body used as a drug, from Anglo-French mumie, from Medieval Latin mumia mummy, powdered mummy, from Arabic mūmiya bitumen, mummy, from Persian mūm wax

First Known Use

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mummy was in 1615

Rhymes for mummy

See All Rhymes for mummy

Browse Nearby Words

mummock
mummy
mummy apple
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mummy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mummy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mummy

noun
mum·​my
ˈməm-ē
plural mummies
1
: a body prepared for burial in the manner of the ancient Egyptians
2
: an unusually well-preserved body

More from Merriam-Webster on mummy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mummy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mummy

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