pre-Columbian
adjective
pre-Co·lum·bi·an
ˌprē-kə-ˈləm-bē-ən 
: preceding or belonging to the time before the arrival of Columbus in America
Examples of pre-Columbian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With a footprint equivalent to the largest pyramids of ancient Egypt, Cahokia’s colossal Monks Mound is the largest pre-Columbian structure north of central Mexico.
—
Joe Yogerst,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
The building is certainly overstuffed—pre-Columbian artifacts, Chinese breezeway tiles, Indian chairs—but never stuffy, and often playful.
—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
The festival is one of the clearest opportunities anywhere in the Americas to witness pre-Columbian traditions performed in their original setting.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Built atop ancient pre-Columbian sites—such as Huaca Pucllana (a pre-Inca religious shrine), located in the center of the Miraflores neighborhood—the city blends deep Indigenous pasts with colonial and modern influences.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
13 May 2026
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Joe Yogerst,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
The building is certainly overstuffed—pre-Columbian artifacts, Chinese breezeway tiles, Indian chairs—but never stuffy, and often playful.
—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
The festival is one of the clearest opportunities anywhere in the Americas to witness pre-Columbian traditions performed in their original setting.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Built atop ancient pre-Columbian sites—such as Huaca Pucllana (a pre-Inca religious shrine), located in the center of the Miraflores neighborhood—the city blends deep Indigenous pasts with colonial and modern influences.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pre-Columbian
Cite this Entry
“Pre-Columbian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-Columbian. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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