prehistory

noun

pre·​his·​to·​ry ˌprē-ˈhi-st(ə-)rē 

1

: the study of prehistoric humankind

2

: a history of the antecedents of an event, situation, or thing

3

: the prehistoric period of human evolution

Examples of prehistory in a Sentence

We are learning about the prehistory of North America.

Recent Examples on the Web

Helm is the curious, mercurial, impish, affectionate and dangerous air current of the English Pennines, swooping over the Eden District from prehistory until now. —The Know, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

For most of its history and prehistory, the human race has lived in various states of ignorance and wonder. —Robert Pogue Harrison, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026

Archaeologists uncovered a wealth of remains from prehistory, the Roman period, and the Middle Ages. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 8 Feb. 2026

The site revealed a complex agricultural society dating back millennia, fundamentally rewriting Southeast Asian prehistory, the scholars say. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for prehistory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory

Kids Definition

prehistory

noun

pre·​his·​to·​ry (ˈ)prē-ˈhis-t(ə-)rē 

: the study of prehistoric man

prehistorian

ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtōr-ē-ən, 

-ˈtȯr-

noun