as in pile
a small quantity of stones heaped together that usually marks a place
A cairn of loose stones marked the site.
Synonyms & Similar 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
Most of what remains of the historic General Crook Trail are eroding two tracks, toppled rock cairns, tree blazes, a few telegraph insulators and roadside monuments.
—
Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
Last year alone, vandals sprayed red paint on trees, rocks and cairns at Acadia National Park; smashed windows and kicked in doors at Mammoth Cave National Park; and damaged the historic church at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Narrow passages lead into these cairns, which hold several tombs.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
According to the park service, cairns are most commonly used to designate hiking routes.
—Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for cairn 
Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
Last year alone, vandals sprayed red paint on trees, rocks and cairns at Acadia National Park; smashed windows and kicked in doors at Mammoth Cave National Park; and damaged the historic church at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024
Narrow passages lead into these cairns, which hold several tombs.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
According to the park service, cairns are most commonly used to designate hiking routes.
—Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for cairn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cairn
Noun
-
If not suitable for propagation, branch trimmings can be kept for a wildlife-sheltering brush pile or added to a compost pile.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Up close with extraterrestrial biology Bennu is a carbon-rich space rock known as a rubble pile asteroid.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Kershaw, who underwent knee and foot surgeries this offseason, is not yet throwing off a mound, but has progressed in his throwing program.—
Raul A. Reyes,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
-
At the Olympics, the mound was more there as an aesthetic.—
Matthew Futterman,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The public doesn’t want impenetrable jargon or a stack of citations.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes,
12 Jan. 2025
-
Served alongside a stack of still-warm corn tortillas, these tender meatballs were saucy, nutty, earthy, sweet, and unlike any meatball my palate had been lucky enough to experience before.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Once the backcountry skiers were located on the mountain, air support learned two of the three men were injured and could not walk.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2025
-
Photos show the hound wearing the orange rescue harness on top of the mountain.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to cairn
Thesaurus Entries Near cairn
Cite this Entry
“Cairn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cairn. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share