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

The 12 main galleries trace Egypt's history from prehistory through the Greco-Roman era, exploring themes of society, kingship and belief. —Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025

These finds are just the beginning, says study co-author Ana Marín-Arroyo, a prehistory professor at the University of Cantabria. —Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025

That has been true since prehistory. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025

Part of the problem in learning about this stretch of prehistory is how ancient layers of dirt were deposited over the course of history in eastern Africa. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025

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