pre-Columbian

adjective

pre-Co·​lum·​bi·​an ˌprē-kə-ˈləm-bē-ən How to pronounce pre-Columbian (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Crystal Skulls Mystery Gleaming quartz skulls in major museums were once touted as pre-Columbian artifacts with mystical powers. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025 With roots dating back to pre-Columbian civilizations in Mexico, they were kept as companions and even thought to guide souls in the afterlife. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025 The Inca Empire in South America, one of the most powerful pre-Columbian societies, was known for many innovations — such as the architecture of Machu Picchu, an extensive road network, and a system of terraces for agriculture. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025 In it, a pre-Columbian past is mixed with a dystopian future. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 29 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for pre-Columbian

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pre-Columbian was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Pre-Columbian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-Columbian. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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