Pyramid has 10 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Verb · Proper Noun
a polyhedron having a polygonal base and triangular sides with a common vertex
"The ancient structure stood as a massive pyramid, featuring a square base and four triangular faces that met at a single apex."
(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
"The speculator bought into a pyramid scheme where he used the soaring price of his initial shares to fund even larger, riskier investments until the bubble burst."
a massive monument with a square base and four triangular sides; begun by Cheops around 2700 BC as royal tombs in ancient Egypt
"The Great Pyramid, constructed as a royal tomb by Cheops around 2700 BC, stands as the largest of these massive monuments with a square base and four triangular sides."
An ancient massive construction with a square or rectangular base and four triangular sides meeting in an apex, such as those built as tombs in Egypt or as bases for temples in Mesoamerica.
"The tourists marveled at the great pyramid rising majestically from the desert sands, serving as the eternal tomb of a pharaoh."
In plain English: A pyramid is a tall structure with a square base and triangular sides that meet at a single point on top.
"The Great Pyramid in Egypt is an ancient wonder made of massive stones."
Usage: Use "pyramid" to describe both physical structures like Egyptian tombs and abstract arrangements where items are stacked with a wide base narrowing to an apex. When referring to data visualization, it specifically denotes a chart type that displays magnitude over time or categories using triangular layers.
enlarge one's holdings on an exchange on a continued rise by using paper profits as margin to buy additional amounts
"When the stock market began its steady climb, he used his paper profits as margin to buy more shares and further enlarge his pyramid of holdings."
use or deal in (as of stock or commercial transaction) in a pyramid deal
"The investment firm was investigated after it was revealed that executives were trying to pyramid their way out of the company's debts."
arrange or build up as if on the base of a pyramid
"The archaeologists carefully stacked the stones to pyramid the ruins back to their original shape before rain could wash them away."
increase rapidly and progressively step by step on a broad base
"The company's profits began to pyramid, growing exponentially from a modest start each quarter."
To build up or be arranged in the form of a pyramid.
"The logs were stacked to rise and taper in the shape of a pyramid."
In plain English: To pyramid something means to stack it up into layers that get smaller as they go higher, just like building with blocks or bricks.
"The company plans to pyramid its sales force by adding new levels on top of each existing team member."
A solitaire card game where the cards are arranged as a triangle (a "pyramid") and the object is to get the cards from the bottom to the top.
"After shuffling the deck, we set up the pyramid on the table and began moving pairs of matching cards toward the apex."
The word "pyramid" entered English via French and Latin, tracing back to the Ancient Greek term for the structure. While some scholars suggest a connection between its name and wheat harvesting in Greece, others believe it originates from an Egyptian phrase describing the monument's rising height.