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
Watching others defy death on wheels, or testing your own skills in its shadow, has been part of sport since the charioteers of antiquity.
—
Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The Kaaba itself is a roughly cubic gray granite structure about 43 feet tall, which Muslims believe was established by the Prophet Abraham – Ibrahim in Arabic – and his son Ishmael as a place of monotheistic worship in antiquity.
—Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 25 May 2026
Before that, in antiquity and the Middle Ages, church institutions and even popes — Gregory the Great — had slaves, Kellerman said.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Could his research stations be icons of antiquity, like the Parthenon or Rome’s Colosseum are to Europe, that inform architects to come?
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for antiquity
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Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 29 May 2026
The Kaaba itself is a roughly cubic gray granite structure about 43 feet tall, which Muslims believe was established by the Prophet Abraham – Ibrahim in Arabic – and his son Ishmael as a place of monotheistic worship in antiquity.
—Iqbal Akhtar, The Conversation, 25 May 2026
Before that, in antiquity and the Middle Ages, church institutions and even popes — Gregory the Great — had slaves, Kellerman said.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
Could his research stations be icons of antiquity, like the Parthenon or Rome’s Colosseum are to Europe, that inform architects to come?
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 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 5 Jun. 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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