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

Ansley Bowman, 22, spent her flight from Cairo to Athens drawing an amphora with the pegasus Blackjack in the center, also adorned with the squiggle used under every chapter in the book. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 26 May 2026

Created in 1947, Miss Dior came in a white crystal amphora and honored Christian Dior’s sister, Catherine, who was a freedom fighter in the French Resistance. —Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 26 May 2026

In the nearby museum were 13 little amphoras, used to measure out the precise dosage of hemlock solution to execute such prisoners. —Sarah Manguso, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026

Orlando said it was already known that wine was traded at the time by the Greeks and the Etruscans, because of wine jugs called amphora that lasted through the centuries. —CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

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