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Definition of cairn

cairn

/kɛərn/
cairn
Plural:cairns
•
Adjective:cairned
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cairn Lexical Profile

cairn Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A mound of rough stones built as a memorial, burial site, or landmark, especially on a hilltop or along a trail.

Example

"The hikers relied on a series of stone cairns to navigate the rocky ridge in the fog."

2

A small, short-legged, rough-coated breed of terrier originating in the Scottish Highlands, originally bred to hunt rodents among rock piles (more fully known as a Cairn terrier).

Example

"Their lively little cairn loved digging in the garden and chasing squirrels."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cairn

• Rhymes for cairn

• Nearby Words

caimitillo
caimito
cain
cairn
cairngorms
cairns
cairo

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Scots 'cairn', from Scottish Gaelic 'carn', meaning a heap of stones.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cairn. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cairn
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