prehistoric

adjective

pre·​his·​tor·​ic ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik How to pronounce prehistoric (audio)
-ˈstär-
variants or less commonly prehistorical
1
: of, relating to, or existing in times antedating written history
2
: of or relating to a language in a period of its development from which contemporary records of its sounds and forms have not been preserved
3
: regarded as being outdated or outmoded
prehistoric attitudes
prehistorically adverb

Examples of prehistoric in a Sentence

His attitudes about women are downright prehistoric. prehistoric notions about mental illness that have no place in today's world
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.
Overall, the graves have slowly revealed new clues about the prehistoric society that lived in the region thousands of years ago. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025 Director Gareth Edwards and screenwriter David Koepp give EW the inside scoop on creating these prehistoric monsters. EW.com, 30 June 2025 The finding could be monumental, helping to paint a fuller picture of a time when our own species coexisted with other prehistoric humans. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 21 June 2025 Pagans come by the thousands to Stonehenge, the prehistoric ruins of a monument built between approximately 3100 and 1600 BC. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for prehistoric

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prehistoric was in 1832

Cite this Entry

“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistoric. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

prehistoric

adjective
pre·​his·​tor·​ic ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtȯr-ik How to pronounce prehistoric (audio)
-ˈtär-
: of, relating to, or existing in times before written history
prehistoric animals
prehistorically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on prehistoric

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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