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

Sonar revealed ancient relics along the sea floor, including a series of colossal structures standing 20 feet high and arranged in rows, as well as several anchors and amphora. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025

The wine was aged in 60 percent new French oak, 39 percent neutral older barrels, and 1 percent terra-cotta amphora. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2025

This Trepat spent 8 months in amphora. —Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Excavations on Mogador Island in the 1960s also turned up four brachiopods stashed in a Roman amphora, according to the study. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 June 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