time capsule

noun

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of time capsule

1 : a container holding historical records or objects representative of current culture that is deposited (as in a cornerstone) for preservation until discovery by some future age

2 : something resembling a time capsule

sunken vessels are archaeological time capsules
—Philip Trupp

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Recent Examples of time capsule from the Web

Located in Torrington, the biggest city in Litchfield County, Connecticut, the time capsule-esque home boasts period charm and strong bones, that, with a refresh, could become a stunner.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Midcentury home with retro details wants $245K," 29 May 2018
Today the Tevatron is a time capsule underscoring the blisteringly rapid advances in science, machinery and computing.

— peter kujawinski, New York Times, "Colliders, Sundials and Wonder: When Science Is Your Destination," 28 May 2018
Those remnants act like a time capsule from the early days of our solar system.

— ashley strickland, CNN, "These diamonds are from one of our solar system's 'lost planets'," 17 May 2018
Luckily, there's no need to dig up a time capsule to get the goods.

— refinery29.com, "The 10 Best Etsy Shops For '90s Vintage," 16 May 2018
By nightfall, the memorial had swelled to include crosses, balloons, flowers, lights, teddy bears and a time capsule with notes inside.

— samantha schmidt, ajc, "4-year-old boy is swept out to sea while walking on the Outer Banks with his mom," 27 Apr. 2018
On paper, Michelle Green didn’t seem like a person who might take on the renovation of a time capsule midcentury modern house.

— mary jo bowling, Curbed, "A first time homeowner takes on the remodel of a midcentury modern time capsule," 19 Mar. 2018
According to owner Duda, a time capsule is buried in the mezzanine area between the ticket booth and the entrance of the theater.

— richard chang, latimes.com, "Lido Theater in Newport Beach celebrates 80 years," 26 Apr. 2018
In that way and others, Rise of the Machines is an odd, engaging time capsule of a movie.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "What’s New on Netflix in April," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'time capsule.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of time capsule

1938

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

TIME CAPSULE Defined for English Language Learners

time capsule

noun

Definition of time capsule for English Language Learners

: a container that is filled with things (such as newspapers or clothing) from the present time and that is meant to be opened by people at some time in the future