petroglyph

noun

pet·​ro·​glyph ˈpe-trə-ˌglif How to pronounce petroglyph (audio)
: a carving or inscription on a rock

Examples of petroglyph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The journey, technical on a bike with high exposure in some places, takes you straight up the cliffs, past a handful of ancient petroglyphs, to phenomenal views of wine country below. Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025 Hawaiian petroglyphs dating back at least half a millennium are visible for the first time in years, according to The Associated Press (AP). Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025 Among the new additions this year are a sacred mountain in Malawi, petroglyphs in South Korea, the remains of a 17th century port and forts in Port Royal, Jamaica, royal palaces in Germany, and a river canyon in Brazil known for its biodiversity. Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 July 2025 Other new inductees include mysterious granite megaliths in Brittany, France, and petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream in South Korea. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for petroglyph

Word History

Etymology

petro- + glyph, probably after hieroglyph

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petroglyph was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Petroglyph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroglyph. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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