Definition

1. Noun:

   • A massive structure with a square base and four triangular sides meeting at a point: A "pyramid" is a monumental stone structure, especially those built in ancient Egypt as royal tombs.
   • A geometric solid with a polygonal base and triangular faces meeting at a common vertex (the apex): In geometry, a "pyramid" is a polyhedron with this specific shape.
   • A system or structure resembling a pyramid in shape or organization: This can refer to anything that widens progressively from the top down, such as a hierarchical organization or a scheme.

2. Verb:

   • To increase or progress rapidly in successive stages: To "pyramid" means to build up or increase something rapidly on a broad base, often in a step-like manner.
   • To arrange or assemble in the shape of a pyramid: To "pyramid" is to stack or organize items so they form a pyramid shape.
   • To engage in a financial strategy using paper profits as leverage: In finance, to "pyramid" means to use the paper profits from an investment as margin to purchase more of it.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • A square pyramid has a square base and four triangular faces.
  • The company had a strict management pyramid.

• Verb:

  • The company managed to pyramid its profits over a few short years.
  • She pyramided the cans at the grocery store for a display.
  • He pyramided his stock holdings during the bull market.

Advanced Usage

• "Pyramid scheme": A fraudulent business model where returns are paid to earlier investors using the capital from newer investors, not from profit.

  • Many people lost their savings after investing in what turned out to be a pyramid scheme.

• "Food pyramid": A nutritional diagram shaped like a pyramid, showing the recommended intake for different food groups.

  • The old food pyramid placed grains at the base.

Variants and Related Words

• Pyramidal (adj): Having the shape or form of a pyramid.

  • The mountain had a pyramidal peak.

• Pyramidion (n): The capstone of an Egyptian pyramid or an obelisk.

Synonyms

• Noun: Monument, ziggurat, tetrahedron (for triangular pyramid), hierarchy.
• Verb: Accumulate, amass, build up, stack.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• "Pyramid up": To build or accumulate in a pyramidal fashion. (Note: This is a less common construction based on the verb).
  • The children pyramided up the building blocks until they fell over.

Related Idioms

• "The top of the pyramid": Refers to the highest level of a hierarchy or organization.
  • Very few people ever reach the top of the corporate pyramid.

Noun

1. a massive monument with a square base and four triangular sides; begun by Cheops around 2700 BC as royal tombs in ancient Egypt
2. (stock market) a series of transactions in which the speculator increases his holdings by using the rising market value of those holdings as margin for further purchases
3. a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex

Verb

1. increase rapidly and progressively step by step on a broad base
2. arrange or build up as if on the base of a pyramid
3. use or deal in (as of stock or commercial transaction) in a pyramid deal
4. enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts