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cairn

cairn

4 7.7
A pile of stones on a hill to mark a path or remember someone
  • noun
  • /kɛrn/
translation icon : móndano
  • The ancient cairn served as a memorial for the explorers who once passed through this area.
  • cairn burial

Examples

  • Hikers often leave stones to create a cairn that marks the trail on rocky paths.

  • As we reached the top of the hill, we spotted a cairn that indicated the best viewpoint.

  • And use some of these rocks to make a cairn.

  • You heading out to the cairn?

  • In October of that year, he visited the cairn burial of a once prominent leader, White Hair the Younger.

    Academic text (2002)
  • I find no children, only a cairn constructed of pine cones and sticks.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • To protect the cache from being washed away, they erected a cairn of rocks to prevent water erosion.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The large cross stands behind Father Diogo, held in place by a cairn of piled stones at its base.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Now that you've encountered VoiceCatcher, pause and rest at the cairn as long as you like.

    Blog text (21)
  • In Wales, several prehistoric tombs and their boulder cairns are called Barclodiad y Gawres (the Giantess's Apronful).

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

mound
vscairn
40 1.7

A small raised area of earth or stones

is a human built pile of stones used as a memorial or path marker

Compounds

A small dog with rough fur from Scotland that is lively and brave

A small dog with rough fur from Scotland that is lively and alert

How Big

tumulus
  • Specialized
1 9.9
cairn
4 7.7
tombstone
52 3.7

Surface Forms

cairn singular
cairns plural

Etymology

Cairn comes from the Scottish Gaelic càrn, meaning 'heap' or 'pile' of stones. These stone piles were used to mark paths, borders, or to remember people, so a cairn today is a pile of stones that guides travelers or serves as a memorial.