cuneiform

1 of 2

adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters

cuneiform syllabary

cuneiform

2 of 2

noun

1

: a cuneiform part

specifically : a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

: cuneiform writing

Illustration of cuneiform

• cuneiform 2

Examples of cuneiform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Egypt was probably next, then China, though there is much amiable tussling for post-cuneiform pole position. —Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025

Noun

One of Temkin’s esoteric languages uses a cuneiform script. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025

The cuneiform on the clay drum is itself a museum of Mesopotamia’s past—each character contains layer upon layer of history. —Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cuneiform

• iodoform
• nonuniform
• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform
• planform

Kids Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: made up of or written with marks or letters shaped like wedges

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: cuneiform writing

Medical Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: of, relating to, or being a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

of a human skull : wedge-shaped as viewed from above

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: a cuneiform bone or cartilage