antiquity
noun
an·tiq·ui·ty
an-ˈti-kwə-tē 
plural antiquities
1
: ancient times
especially
: those before the Middle Ages
a town that dates from antiquity
2
: the quality of being ancient
a castle of great antiquity
3
antiquities plural
a
: relics or monuments (such as coins, statues, or buildings) of ancient times
a museum of Greek antiquities
b
: matters relating to the life or culture of ancient times
the study of Germanic antiquities
4
: the people of ancient times
records left by antiquity
Examples of antiquity in a Sentence
The town dates from antiquity.
A palace stood here in antiquity.
a museum of Roman antiquities
Recent Examples on the Web
Finding physical proof, however, that confirms such recipes were prepared and used to treat actual ailments in antiquity is rare.
—
Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
In the heart of Berlin, Museum Island unfolds as a grand cultural ensemble where five world-class institutions trace the arc of human creativity from antiquity to the 19th century.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Villainous weirdos like Bronze Age Pervert, Curtis Yarvin, or Jack Donovan who populate the ranks of far-right intellectuals are obsessed with their own fabulism about antiquity, reminding one of the murderous gaggle of privileged college kids in Donna Tart’s 1993 campus novel The Secret History.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
But the capital holds one of the world’s largest collections of European art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum—among the most beautiful museums in the world—where pieces range from Roman antiquities to Renaissance-era armor that once belonged to Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
—Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antiquity
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Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026
In the heart of Berlin, Museum Island unfolds as a grand cultural ensemble where five world-class institutions trace the arc of human creativity from antiquity to the 19th century.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Villainous weirdos like Bronze Age Pervert, Curtis Yarvin, or Jack Donovan who populate the ranks of far-right intellectuals are obsessed with their own fabulism about antiquity, reminding one of the murderous gaggle of privileged college kids in Donna Tart’s 1993 campus novel The Secret History.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
But the capital holds one of the world’s largest collections of European art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum—among the most beautiful museums in the world—where pieces range from Roman antiquities to Renaissance-era armor that once belonged to Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
—Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for antiquity
Cite this Entry
“Antiquity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiquity. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antiquity
noun
an·tiq·ui·ty
an-ˈtik-wət-ē
plural antiquities
1
: ancient times
especially
: those before the Middle Ages
2
: very great age
3
plural
: objects or monuments from ancient times
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