A zigguratA tall, stepped monument in ancient Mesopotamia, often used for worship. is a large ancient stepped structure built as a temple or raised platform, especially in MesopotamianRelating to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. civilizationsComplex societies with cities, government, culture, and organized life. such as the Assyrian and Babylonian empires.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈzɪɡəˌræt/
Easy pronunciation: ZIG-uh-rat (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the first syllable.
Refers to the ancient stepped temple or terraced mound.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Ziggurat Meaning
an ancient stepped temple or mound
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a rectangular tiered temple or terraced mound erected by the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians
Example: The ruins of the ziggurat still attract visitors today.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- zikkurat — Alternate spelling of the same historical structure
- zikurat — Alternate spelling of the same historical structure
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Ziggurat Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- zikkurat
- zikurat
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes misspell it as 'ziggurat' or use it for any stepped building, but it specifically refers to an ancient Mesopotamian temple structure.
- It is not a general synonym for pyramid, temple, or mound.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ziggurat mean?
A ziggurat is an ancient rectangular stepped temple or mound, especially one built in Mesopotamia.
What are the synonyms of ziggurat?
The main synonyms given in dictionaries are alternate spellings: zikkurat and zikurat.
Is a ziggurat the same as a pyramid?
Not exactly. A ziggurat is a stepped temple structure from ancient Mesopotamia, while a pyramid is a different kind of ancient monument.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-16. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.