artifact

noun

ar·​ti·​fact ˈär-ti-ˌfakt How to pronounce artifact (audio)
1
a
: a usually simple object (such as a tool or ornament) showing human workmanship or modification as distinguished from a natural object
especially : an object remaining from a particular period
caves containing prehistoric artifacts
b
: something characteristic of or resulting from a particular human institution, period, trend, or individual
… morality is an artifact of human culture, devised to help us negotiate social relations.Michael Pollan
c
: something or someone arising from or associated with an earlier time especially when regarded as no longer appropriate, relevant, or important
… that over-simplified but eloquent quality that keeps Jefferson alive for us while Washington and Adams, his superiors in so many other respects, are artifacts of a quaint and lost world.Jack Rakove
2
a
: a product of artificial character (as in a scientific test) due usually to extraneous (such as human) agency
b
: an electrocardiographic and electroencephalographic wave that arises from sources other than the heart or brain
c
: a defect in an image (such as a digital photograph) that appears as a result of the technology and methods used to create and process the image
… can produce a very good picture, but there will be some loss of detail and some color artifacts such as adjacent colors bleeding into each other.Consumer Reports
artifactual
ˌär-ti-ˈfak-chə(-wə)l How to pronounce artifact (audio)
-ˈfak-shwəl
-chü-əl
adjective

Did you know?

One of the things that make humans unique is their ability to make and use tools, and ever since the first rough stone axes began to appear about 700,000 years ago, human cultures have left behind artifacts from which we've tried to draw a picture of their everyday life. The roots of artifact mean basically "something made with skill;" thus, a mere stone that was used for pounding isn't an artifact, since it wasn't shaped by humans for its purpose—unlike a ram's horn that was polished and given a brass mouthpiece and was blown as part of a religious ritual.

Examples of artifact in a Sentence

The caves contained many prehistoric artifacts. an artifact from the Colonial period
Recent Examples on the Web Among the government's concerns is the possible disturbance of artifacts and any human remains that may still exist on the North Atlantic seabed. CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 The research team believe the person found lying at the center of the grave had higher status, indicated not only by his physical position but also gold and ceramic artifacts that surrounded the body. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 When El Toro was shuttered in 1999, the aircraft and artifacts of Marine aviation were moved to a command museum at Miramar. Erika I. Ritchie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Experts said this artifact was most likely given to the baby by her family. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Federica Gigante, an expert in Islamic art and scientific instruments at the University of Cambridge in the U.K., saw a picture of the artifact on the website of the museum in Verona, and asked the curators at the Fondazione Museo Miniscalchi-Erizzo about it. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Considering the road as a timeless symbol of transition and periphery, the presence of tangible artifacts in one cohesive display offers a clear look at a crucial period in African American history. Shelby Knick, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Researchers found the artifact at Smallhythe Place, an archaeological site near the River Rother that was home to an important English Royal shipbuilding center during the Middle Ages. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 Museum directors across the state are scrambling to comply with a new federal rule that requires permission from tribal nations before displaying certain affiliated artifacts. Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'artifact.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin arte factus "made by human agency," from Latin arte "by skill or craft" (ablative of art-, ars "acquired skill, craftmanship") + factus, past participle of facere "to make, bring about, do" — more at art entry 1, fact

Note: The usual American spelling artifact—opposed to artefact in the British Isles and elsewhere—shows assimilation to Latin compounds with arti- (see artifice).

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of artifact was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near artifact

Cite this Entry

“Artifact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artifact. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

artifact

noun
ar·​ti·​fact ˈärt-i-ˌfakt How to pronounce artifact (audio)
: a usually simple object (as a tool or ornament) showing human work and representing a culture or a stage in the development of a culture

Medical Definition

artifact

noun
ar·​ti·​fact
variants or chiefly British artefact
1
: a product of artificial character due to extraneous (as human) agency
specifically : a product or formation in a microscopic preparation of a fixed tissue or cell that is caused by manipulation or reagents and is not indicative of actual structural relationships
2
: an electrocardiographic and electroencephalographic wave that arises from sources other than the heart or brain
artifactual adjective
or chiefly British artefactual
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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