treasure trove

noun

1
: treasure that anyone finds
specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion which is found hidden and whose ownership is not known
2
: a valuable discovery, resource, or collection

Examples of treasure trove in a Sentence

Divers found a treasure trove of gold and silver in the wreckage of a ship that sank hundreds of years ago. the ancient city, having been almost perfectly preserved under volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 years, is proving to be a treasure trove of archaeological information
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
If your closet could use a refresh, there’s no need to splurge—Amazon has a treasure trove of spring-ready styles, including flowy maxis, charming floral frocks, and classic wrap dresses. Kaitlin Marks, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025 Morley, however, sees the unreleased files as a potential treasure trove of information that could undermine the lone gunman theory. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 This departure from the WHO also endangers American lives because U.S. public health officials will lose access to a treasure trove of information needed to develop effective vaccines for constantly mutating infectious diseases like seasonal flu and COVID-19, Schaffner adds. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Jan. 2025 Fort-de-France, the island’s captivating capital, is a treasure trove of busy markets, charming eateries and authentic street food stalls that marry the island’s French influence and Caribbean flair to create unique dishes that will delight your taste buds. Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for treasure trove 

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French tresor trové, literally, found treasure

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of treasure trove was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near treasure trove

Cite this Entry

“Treasure trove.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treasure%20trove. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

treasure trove

noun
-ˌtrōv
1
: treasure of unknown ownership found buried or hidden
2
: a valuable discovery

Legal Definition

treasure trove

noun
-ˈtrōv
: treasure that anyone finds
specifically : gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion that is found hidden and whose ownership is not known

Note: State law determines who is entitled to a treasure trove.

More from Merriam-Webster on treasure trove

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!