pictograph
noun
pic·to·graph
ˈpik-tə-ˌgraf 
1
: an ancient or prehistoric drawing or painting on a rock wall
2
: one of the symbols belonging to a pictorial graphic system
3
: a diagram representing statistical data by pictorial forms
Examples of pictograph in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Initially used to track agricultural trade and taxes, early pictographs evolved into cuneiform—a sophisticated system of record-keeping.
—
Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The typewriter's ingenuity comes from the way Lin decided to break down Chinese pictographs: by their shapes, not sounds.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
Weave through boulders and around desert plants to reach ancient pictographs emblazoned on the walls of skyscraper-high yardangs (tall rock formations sculpted by the wind), before catching your breath during a picnic lunch.
—Chloe Berge, Outside Online, 17 June 2025
But before this, some of the brightest Chinese minds of the 20th century had to figure out a way to harness the complex pictographs that make up written Chinese into a typewriter, and later, a computer.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pictograph
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Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
The typewriter's ingenuity comes from the way Lin decided to break down Chinese pictographs: by their shapes, not sounds.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
Weave through boulders and around desert plants to reach ancient pictographs emblazoned on the walls of skyscraper-high yardangs (tall rock formations sculpted by the wind), before catching your breath during a picnic lunch.
—Chloe Berge, Outside Online, 17 June 2025
But before this, some of the brightest Chinese minds of the 20th century had to figure out a way to harness the complex pictographs that make up written Chinese into a typewriter, and later, a computer.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pictograph
Cite this Entry
“Pictograph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pictograph. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pictograph
noun
pic·to·graph
ˈpik-tə-ˌgraf
1
: an ancient or prehistoric drawing or painting on a rock wall
2
: one of the symbols of a system of picture writing
3
: a diagram representing statistical information by pictures which can be varied in color, size, or number to indicate change
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