prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik 
-ˈstär-
variants
or less commonly prehistorical
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-i-kəl
-ˈstär-
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: regarded as being outdated or outmoded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
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
Both types of stone are fossilized prehistoric corals that are about 350 million years old, according to Visit Charlevoix.
—
Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
Here, evidence of prehistoric art can be found in rock formations such as the Gruta do Janelão cave, the largest in the canyon.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 July 2025
For nature lovers, the U.S. is a playground too—hike through misty forests in the Pacific Northwest, marvel at the Grand Canyon’s prehistoric vastness, or chase geysers in Yellowstone.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
The findings back up a hypothesis that had been put forward by Beasley’s coauthor John Speth, an anthropologist at the University of Michigan, who has for nearly a decade argued that putrid meat and fish would have formed a key part of prehistoric diets.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
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Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
Here, evidence of prehistoric art can be found in rock formations such as the Gruta do Janelão cave, the largest in the canyon.
—Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 25 July 2025
For nature lovers, the U.S. is a playground too—hike through misty forests in the Pacific Northwest, marvel at the Grand Canyon’s prehistoric vastness, or chase geysers in Yellowstone.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
The findings back up a hypothesis that had been put forward by Beasley’s coauthor John Speth, an anthropologist at the University of Michigan, who has for nearly a decade argued that putrid meat and fish would have formed a key part of prehistoric diets.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
Cite this Entry
“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistoric. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtȯr-ik
-ˈtär-
: of, relating to, or existing in times before written history
prehistoric animals
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