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Catacomb vs Mausoleum - What's the difference?

catacomb | mausoleum |

As nouns the difference between catacomb and mausoleum

is that catacomb is an underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a subterranean tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or ancient Rome while mausoleum is a large stately tomb or a building housing such a tomb or several tombs.

catacomb

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An underground system of tunnels and chambers with recesses for graves, used (in former times) as a cemetery; a subterranean tunnel system used for burying the dead, as in Paris or ancient Rome.

    • Usage notes

    Often used in the plural.

    mausoleum

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • A large stately tomb or a building housing such a tomb or several tombs.
  • A gloomy, usually large room or building.

    • Derived terms

    * mausoleal * mausolean