zikkurat

[zik-uh-raht]

zikkurat Definition

a massive stepped tower of mud bricks or baked bricks, having a rectangular base and receding tiers, found in ancient Mesopotamia.

Using zikkurat: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "zikkurat" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The most famous ziggurat is the Great Ziggurat of Ur.

  • Example

    Ziggurats were built as religious temples in ancient Mesopotamia.

  • Example

    The ziggurat was the tallest building in the city.

zikkurat Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for zikkurat

  • temple tower
  • stepped pyramid

Phrases with zikkurat

  • the best-preserved ziggurat, located in present-day Iraq

    Example

    The Great Ziggurat of Ur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • a ziggurat temple dedicated to the sky god Anu, located in present-day Iraq

    Example

    The White Temple of Uruk is one of the oldest ziggurats in Mesopotamia.

  • Etemenanki

    a ziggurat temple dedicated to the god Marduk, located in Babylon, present-day Iraq

    Example

    Etemenanki was the largest ziggurat in Mesopotamia, standing over 90 meters tall.

Origins of zikkurat

from Akkadian 'ziqqurratu', meaning 'to build on a raised area'

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Summary: zikkurat in Brief

'Zikkurat' [zik-uh-raht] refers to a massive stepped tower made of mud or baked bricks, with a rectangular base and receding tiers. These structures were built as religious temples in ancient Mesopotamia and were the tallest buildings in their cities. The most famous ziggurat is the Great Ziggurat of Ur, located in present-day Iraq.