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 Luján, a painter and sculptor, was known for incorporating pre-Columbian imagery and tapping into mythical settings that embraced Aztlan, symbolic to the Chicano movement. Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2024 The show explored the history of repatriation and placed the pre-Columbian pieces alongside work by José Véra González, a Mexican artist based in Nashville. Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 July 2024 The pre-Columbian tools, instruments, ceramic pots, and clay animal sculptures (including a grinning Mexican hairless dog) are being voluntarily returned to Mexico City by the museum following a special exhibition highlighting the effects of cultural looting in the art and antiquities trade. Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2024 Jose Vera Gonzalez shows off one of his paintings inspired by the Parthenon's collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 24 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for pre-Columbian 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pre-Columbian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near pre-Columbian

Cite this Entry

“Pre-Columbian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pre-Columbian. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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