amphora

noun

am·​pho·​ra ˈam(p)-fə-rə 

plural amphorae ˈam(p)-fə-ˌrē 

-ˌrī

or amphoras

1

: an ancient Greek jar or vase with a large oval body, narrow cylindrical neck, and two handles that rise almost to the level of the mouth

broadly : such a jar or vase used elsewhere in the ancient world

2

: a 2-handled vessel shaped like an amphora

Illustration of amphora

• amphora 1

Examples of amphora in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Commissions include jugs in the form of ancient amphora and rattan lights paying homage to the region’s culture of basket weaving. —Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile in London this year, antiquities dealer the Kallos Gallery pulled an ancient Greek amphora from sale after Tsirogiannis highlighted it in Medici’s archive. —Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025

The forms vary slightly across her different periods—at times tall and amphora-like, at others shallow and wide, with geometric patterns engraved on the surface, or lines of a different color than the base glaze tracing the lips. —Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2025

More than 2,000 years after the Romans made the switch from terracotta amphora to wooden barrels for shipping and storing wine, the Italians are once again at the forefront of wine technology. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, adaptation (with gender and suffix change) of Greek amphoreús, by haplology from amphiphoreús, from amphi- amphi- + phoreús "bearer, carrier," from phor- (stem in nominal derivation of phérein "to carry") + -eus, instrument suffix — more at bear entry 2

Note: The form amphiphoreús occurs in Homeric epics, but most likely only for metrical reasons. According to P. Chantraine (Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque), Mycenaean documents have evidence for both amphiphoreús and amphoreús.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

amphora

noun

am·​pho·​ra ˈam(p)-fə-rə 

plural amphorae -fə-ˌrē 

-ˌrī

or amphoras

-rəz

: an ancient Greek jar or vase with two handles

also : such a jar or vase used elsewhere in the ancient world