pre-Columbian

adjective

pre-Co·​lum·​bi·​an ˌprē-kə-ˈləm-bē-ən 

: preceding or belonging to the time before the arrival of Columbus in America

Examples of pre-Columbian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

History of Chia Seeds Chia seeds have their origin in pre-Columbian indigenous populations. —María Quiles, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2024

In the contemporary, helter-skelter sweep of Mexico City, there is one place — in the southern borough of Xochimilco — where a vision of a watery, pre-Columbian capital may still be imagined. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

Researchers found the ancient tomb in El Caño Archaeological Park, a site in Coclé province known as a hotbed for pre-Columbian discoveries, particularly lavish burial chambers. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024

International companies hungry for carbon offsets have paid big money for biochar made using pre-Columbian Amazonian production techniques. —Chelsea Fisher, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2024

Looking to reclaim their country’s rich creative heritage, the duo spent two years researching pre-Columbian craftsmanship to inform their furniture from a perspective that asks what a modern Guatemalan home would look like if the country had escaped colonization. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2024

The spools frame her mask-like open mouth, decorating voids in the human skull that signaled the soul’s vivacity in pre-Columbian culture. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2024

Construction of a new 170,000-square-foot wing that will expand collections of African, American, Native American, pre-Columbian and 21st Century art is scheduled to begin next year. —Gary Stoller, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

Both a social activity and a caffeine-fix, mate dates back to pre-Columbian times, when the leaves were hand-picked in the same manner as Lemos has been doing for the past 30 years. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above