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: regarded as being outdated or outmoded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 Taung Child’s remains were found alongside other smaller prey remains and eggshells in what may be a prehistoric raptor’s nest.
—
Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
The Neumark-Nord site in central Germany is turning out to be a prehistoric goldmine, and not just for bones.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 July 2025
What are these ominous prehistoric standing stones?
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Trapped in the pores of that sandstone are molecules that are even older still: the remains of countless prehistoric lifeforms, transformed by time and heat into oil and natural gas.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
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Joshua Rapp Learn, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
The Neumark-Nord site in central Germany is turning out to be a prehistoric goldmine, and not just for bones.
—Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 12 July 2025
What are these ominous prehistoric standing stones?
—Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Trapped in the pores of that sandstone are molecules that are even older still: the remains of countless prehistoric lifeforms, transformed by time and heat into oil and natural gas.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 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 19 Jul. 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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