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
When Renaissance artists revived interest in classical antiquity, the nude came along for the ride, mostly as a vessel to idealize the figures of the Christian faith and the Roman Catholic Church, which dominated Renaissance Europe.
—
Julia Halperin, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The Healing History of Baths In antiquity, the link between bathing and health usually carried a religious undercurrent.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
The team also found ships and artifacts spanning classical antiquity (from around the year 460 B.C.E), the Byzantine era (from 800 to 900 C.E.), and the medieval and Ottoman periods.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024
Matthew collects impressive antiquities, such as museum-worthy ancient Chinese, Eurasian, and Mesoamerican artifacts that date back up to 4,000 years.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024
This was a first for Phillips, 80, who’s collected antiquities for half a century.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024
Amid the darkness, an English antiquities dealer finds his stash of fine wine can be used as lighting fuel.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Throughout antiquity, the most intellectually adventurous travelers to Athens would embark on a 14-mile procession west along a stone road called the Sacred Way to visit the shrine of Eleusis, one of the most sacred in the pagan world.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The 170 dives were not only a feat of discovery but also of collaboration, bringing together 30 divers from different specialties, including archaeologists, architects, antiquities conservators, professional divers, photographers and students, according to the release.
—Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Julia Halperin, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
The Healing History of Baths In antiquity, the link between bathing and health usually carried a religious undercurrent.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
The team also found ships and artifacts spanning classical antiquity (from around the year 460 B.C.E), the Byzantine era (from 800 to 900 C.E.), and the medieval and Ottoman periods.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024
Matthew collects impressive antiquities, such as museum-worthy ancient Chinese, Eurasian, and Mesoamerican artifacts that date back up to 4,000 years.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024
This was a first for Phillips, 80, who’s collected antiquities for half a century.
—Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024
Amid the darkness, an English antiquities dealer finds his stash of fine wine can be used as lighting fuel.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Throughout antiquity, the most intellectually adventurous travelers to Athens would embark on a 14-mile procession west along a stone road called the Sacred Way to visit the shrine of Eleusis, one of the most sacred in the pagan world.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The 170 dives were not only a feat of discovery but also of collaboration, bringing together 30 divers from different specialties, including archaeologists, architects, antiquities conservators, professional divers, photographers and students, according to the release.
—Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antiquity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near antiquity
Cite this Entry
“Antiquity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiquity. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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