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

Synonyms of antiquity

• ancientness
• antiquation
• age
• hoariness

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

Among those shaping the field is Sal Aaron, director of David Aaron Gallery in London, which specializes in fossils, antiquities, and natural history objects. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 14 July 2026

Again, the aim was to put a human face on an iconic image from antiquity. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Since antiquity, mathematicians have suspected that O(n2) was an inherent speed limit for multiplication. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

The recent discovery is part of a research project that's been ongoing since 2018, according to the tourism and antiquities ministry. — CBS News, 12 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see antique entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for antiquity

• iniquity
• obliquity
• ubiquity

Kids 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