as in pile
a small quantity of stones heaped together that usually marks a place
A cairn of loose stones marked the site.
Related Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cairn
Inside every cairn, the team unearthed countless human and animal bones, often fragmented.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
The bones excavated at the site were returned to King William Island in 1994 and interred in a memorial cairn.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024
Ranger died in 1940 and was buried at the summit of Mount Hood, which is marked by a stone cairn and an engraved plaque.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024
The trail can be confusing so keep an eye open for cairns and tree notches serving as trail markers.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cairn
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
The bones excavated at the site were returned to King William Island in 1994 and interred in a memorial cairn.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024
Ranger died in 1940 and was buried at the summit of Mount Hood, which is marked by a stone cairn and an engraved plaque.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 20 Sep. 2024
The trail can be confusing so keep an eye open for cairns and tree notches serving as trail markers.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cairn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cairn
Noun
-
Shinola hotel, music venue replaces CSX building Across from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a pile of dirt represents an exciting new life coming to the east end of Georgia Street.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
29 July 2025
-
Trim shrubbery back and up off the ground; remove or relocate wood piles; seal up entrances beneath decks and outbuildings; close off openings into your home’s crawlspace and attic.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
For the first time this season Monday, Sandy Alcantara will take the mound for the Marlins unburdened by trade speculation.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The typical timeline to get back on the mound after Tommy John surgery is 12-15 months.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Under the menu’s premium burger section are the 1948, the Ultimate Super George, the Pub Burger, and the All-Star Cheeseburger, all served with a stack of potato wedges.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
22 July 2025
-
Still, this being a J.Lo outfit, some diva-worthy accessories were in order, like a giant pair of aviator shades and stacks of expensive-looking gold jewelry.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Held from June 26 to June 29, hikers travel about 1,500 feet up the mountain, enough times to mimic the height of Mount Everest, which is located between China and Nepal.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
27 July 2025
-
New York — President Donald Trump has promised to unleash an economic boom that will turbocharge growth, fatten paychecks and chip away at America’s mountain of debt.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cairn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cairn. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share