hypogeum
noun
hy·po·ge·um ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-əm 
plural hypogea ˌhī-pə-ˈjē-ə
: the subterranean part of an ancient building
also : an ancient underground burial chamber
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web One of the main reasons the hypogeum has survived so well is because of its lack of natural light, which encourages the growth of biological organisms. 
Julia Buckley, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2022 Though experts have finished restoring the hypogeum, officials still plan to renovate other parts of the arena’s structure. Isis Davis-marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2021 The hypogeum, meanwhile, was eventually filled with dirt and rubble. Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2020 The Lego Roman Colosseum is three stories tall and that doesn’t include the recreation of the hypogeum, the subterranean chamber beneath the arena floor. Jonathan Bender, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2020 Inside the Roman Forum new exciting archaeological discovery: a hypogeum with a tuff sarcophagus from the 6th century BC. Fox News, 19 Feb. 2020 Silvio Berlusconi constructed an enormous mausoleum at his home in Arcore, near Milan, in 1994: the imitation hypogeum, fit for an Etruscan prince, includes carved niches and objects a media tycoon may wish to take into the next life. E.o’k. | Lazio, The Economist, 20 Aug. 2019 An interior view of the Colosseum's hypogeum after the restoration. Simon Dumenco, ELLE Decor, 6 July 2016 On most evenings, CoopCulture will run 75-minute tours, taking you through the main floor of the arena and to check out the underground space, known as the hypogeum, where gladiators waited before entering for battle. Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2017 See More
Julia Buckley, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2022 Though experts have finished restoring the hypogeum, officials still plan to renovate other parts of the arena’s structure. Isis Davis-marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2021 The hypogeum, meanwhile, was eventually filled with dirt and rubble. Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Dec. 2020 The Lego Roman Colosseum is three stories tall and that doesn’t include the recreation of the hypogeum, the subterranean chamber beneath the arena floor. Jonathan Bender, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2020 Inside the Roman Forum new exciting archaeological discovery: a hypogeum with a tuff sarcophagus from the 6th century BC. Fox News, 19 Feb. 2020 Silvio Berlusconi constructed an enormous mausoleum at his home in Arcore, near Milan, in 1994: the imitation hypogeum, fit for an Etruscan prince, includes carved niches and objects a media tycoon may wish to take into the next life. E.o’k. | Lazio, The Economist, 20 Aug. 2019 An interior view of the Colosseum's hypogeum after the restoration. Simon Dumenco, ELLE Decor, 6 July 2016 On most evenings, CoopCulture will run 75-minute tours, taking you through the main floor of the arena and to check out the underground space, known as the hypogeum, where gladiators waited before entering for battle. Jordi Lippe-mcgraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin hypogēum, hypogaeum "underground chamber," borrowed from Greek hypógeion, hypógaion, noun derivative from neuter of hypógeios, hypógaios "underground, subterranean" — more at hypogeal
First Known Use
circa 1706, in the meaning defined above