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

In ancient Greece or Rome, a tariff perhaps was two silver coins per amphora of olive oil. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025

Experts identified the jug as an amphora — a piece of pottery sometimes used in funeral rituals to hold offerings or human remains, or as a grave marker. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025

Inside the remnants of workshops, the archaeologists recovered an amphora containing yellow ocher and small jars filled with reddish pigments like realgar and red ocher. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025

The monastery's mosaic floor features depictions of crosses, lions, doves, an amphora (a type of container vessel used in antiquity), flowers and geometric patterns. —Newsweek, 8 Jan. 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