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
For most of the 21st century many evolutionary biologists have assumed that humans evolved at a leisurely pace in recent millennia, in contrast to the dramatic transformations that occurred earlier in our prehistory.
—
Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Researchers published their findings on April 9 in Nature, and argue that as much as a millennium’s worth of Maltese prehistory may warrant reevaluation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
Despite the subsequent embellishment of his memory and the development of his cult in later medieval Ireland, the real Patrick continues to occupy a unique position—a solitary voice from the end of prehistory and the very beginning of Irish history itself.
—Terry O'Hagan, JSTOR Daily, 17 Mar. 2015
In the six previous Civ installments released since 1991, players guide a culture—such as the Aztecs, the Americas, or the French—from prehistory to modernity.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
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Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Researchers published their findings on April 9 in Nature, and argue that as much as a millennium’s worth of Maltese prehistory may warrant reevaluation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
Despite the subsequent embellishment of his memory and the development of his cult in later medieval Ireland, the real Patrick continues to occupy a unique position—a solitary voice from the end of prehistory and the very beginning of Irish history itself.
—Terry O'Hagan, JSTOR Daily, 17 Mar. 2015
In the six previous Civ installments released since 1991, players guide a culture—such as the Aztecs, the Americas, or the French—from prehistory to modernity.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistory
Cite this Entry
“Prehistory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistory. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prehistory
noun
pre·his·to·ry
(ˈ)prē-ˈhis-t(ə-)rē
: the study of prehistoric man
prehistorian
noun
ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtōr-ē-ən
-ˈtȯr-
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