immemorial

adjective

im·​me·​mo·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce immemorial (audio)
: extending or existing since beyond the reach of memory, record, or tradition
existing from time immemorial
immemorially adverb

Examples of immemorial in a Sentence

the immemorial roots of human spirituality stories passed down from time immemorial
Recent Examples on the Web Kevin’s defense of his home was a defense of the memory of his family, and of their immemorial traditions menaced by the ruthless — and rootless — home invaders. Gregory M. Collins, National Review, 27 Dec. 2023 Like the schist outcroppings that rear up a couple of blocks away in Central Park, Gang’s mixture of urban attitude and immemorial forms reminds us that even a megalopolis like ours is just a collection of boxes clinging to a very old boulder. Curbed, 25 Apr. 2023 Gian Lorenzo’s father, Pietro (1562–1629), was a Florentine sculptor trained in the immemorial Tuscan tradition that put drawing, disegno, at the heart of every artistic endeavor, even the art of living, for disegno could mean a strategy as well as a sketch. Ingrid D. Rowland, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2022 Symbolism: royalty, enlightenment, spirituality, and immemorial. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 21 Jan. 2023 And 2 platoons formed escort to prisoners of war passing through the immemorial shade of the staffroom after the successful action at RAFA. Ishion Hutchinson, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2022 Aside from the immemorial wonders, Shiraz provided other, less monumental features. Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2022 Without thinking, Noonan raised two fingers from the steering wheel in that immemorial gesture of laconic country salute. Colin Barrett, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2021 Those two monuments were made to feel as immemorial as if they had been created by plate tectonics. Elizabeth Alexander, CNN, 30 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immemorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably from French immémorial, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin immemorialis lacking memory, from Latin in- + memorialis memorial

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immemorial was in 1602

Dictionary Entries Near immemorial

Cite this Entry

“Immemorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immemorial. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

immemorial

adjective
im·​me·​mo·​ri·​al ˌim-ə-ˈmōr-ē-əl How to pronounce immemorial (audio)
-ˈmȯr-
: going back beyond the reach of memory or record : very ancient
from time immemorial
immemorially adverb

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