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

pictographic

ˌpik-tə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

Examples of pictograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Not For Radio and Suki Waterhouse were among those teased early via pictographs on Lollapalooza social media accounts. —Doug George, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Things to Do in Big Bend National Park Big Bend National Park has it all—vast amounts of open space, rivers, canyons, pictographs, and hot springs. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026

Don't miss these Knowledge transmission Archeologists study ancient rock art, which includes paintings on rock (pictographs) or peckings in rock (petroglyphs) to learn about the cultures of ancient peoples. —Julian Dossett, Space.com, 28 Nov. 2025

Another nearby point of interest for history buffs is Historic Blenheim and Civil War Interpretive Center, a Greek Revival-style house dating to 1859 that preserves signatures and pictographs from Federal soldiers who once lived there. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin pictus + English -o- + -graph

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pictograph

• autograph
• biograph
• cenotaph
• chronograph
• epigraph
• epitaph
• hodograph
• holograph
• hydrograph
• lithograph
• micrograph
• monograph

Kids 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

pictographic

ˌpik-tə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective