Definition

Proper noun: * Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: A canonical list of seven remarkable and impressive man-made structures and monuments from classical antiquity, renowned for their architectural and artistic magnificence. They were celebrated by ancient Greek and Roman writers and travelers as the most extraordinary creations of human skill and effort.

Usage

• The term is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this historical list. It is often used in discussions of history, archaeology, architecture, and cultural heritage.
• It is typically preceded by the definite article "the."

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • Historians and archaeologists continue to debate the exact appearance and location of some of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • Only the Great Pyramid of Giza from the original list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still stands today.

Advanced Usage

• The concept is often used metaphorically to describe any set of exceptionally impressive modern achievements or natural phenomena, e.g., "the seven wonders of the modern world" or "the seven natural wonders of the world."
• The phrase "a wonder of the ancient world" (singular) can be used to describe any individually impressive ancient structure, even if it is not on the canonical list.

Variants and Related Words

• Wonder (n): A feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar. Also, a person or thing that causes such a feeling.
  • The temple was a wonder to behold.
• Ancient (adj): Belonging to the very distant past; of great age.
  • They studied ancient civilizations.

Synonyms

• Marvels of antiquity
• Great wonders of the ancient world

Related Phrases

• Eighth wonder of the world: A modern phrase used to describe something so impressive it could be considered an addition to the ancient list.
  • The Panama Canal is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world.

Noun

1. impressive monuments created in the ancient world that were regarded with awe