archaeology

noun

ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gy ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce archaeology (audio)
variants or archeology
1
: the scientific study of material remains (such as tools, pottery, jewelry, stone walls, and monuments) of past human life and activities
2
: remains of the culture of a people : antiquities
the archaeology of the Incas
archaeological adjective
archaeologically adverb
archaeologist noun

Examples of archaeology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Here are three of our most recent eye-catching archaeology stories. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025 The discovery follows a series of recent biblical archaeology finds that have made headlines this year. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Humberto Basilio is a Mexican science journalist covering policy, health, misconduct, archaeology and the environment. Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2025 Enjoys writing about archaeology, history, and environmental sciences. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for archaeology

Word History

Etymology

French archéologie, from Late Latin archaeologia antiquarian lore, from Greek archaiologia, from archaio- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of archaeology was in 1782

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Cite this Entry

“Archaeology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archaeology. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

archaeology

noun
ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gy
variants or archeology
: the science that deals with past human life as shown by fossil relics and the monuments and tools left by ancient peoples
archaeological adjective
archaeologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on archaeology

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