prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik 
-ˈstär-
variants
or less commonly prehistorical
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-i-kəl
-ˈstär-
1
: of, relating to, or existing in times antedating written history
2
: of or relating to a language in a period of its development from which contemporary records of its sounds and forms have not been preserved
3
: regarded as being outdated or outmoded
prehistoric attitudes
Examples of prehistoric in a Sentence
His attitudes about women are downright prehistoric.
prehistoric notions about mental illness that have no place in today's world
Recent Examples on the Web
The obvious difference is the lack of a coastal element, as Sand Valley’s courses are spread across 12,000 acres of prehistoric sand dunes.
—
Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Beneath the surface of Warm Mineral Springs, divers have discovered prehistoric remains dating back 10,000 years.
—Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Previously, scientists have found tiny crustaceans, prehistoric mollusks and even hell ants encased in the orangey resin, a window into worlds past.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years for olfactory, medicinal and spiritual purposes, such as during prehistoric ceremonies and for ancient Egyptian embalming.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
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Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Beneath the surface of Warm Mineral Springs, divers have discovered prehistoric remains dating back 10,000 years.
—Sean Kingsley, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
Previously, scientists have found tiny crustaceans, prehistoric mollusks and even hell ants encased in the orangey resin, a window into worlds past.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2025
Sandalwood has been used for thousands of years for olfactory, medicinal and spiritual purposes, such as during prehistoric ceremonies and for ancient Egyptian embalming.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
Cite this Entry
“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistoric. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtȯr-ik
-ˈtär-
: of, relating to, or existing in times before written history
prehistoric animals
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