time capsule

noun

Updated on: 16 Apr 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

See time capsule defined for English-language learners

See time capsule defined for kids

Recent Examples of time capsule from the Web

The amateur photographer discovered a time capsule of late ’60s and early ’70s rock history Last spring, former music executive Michael Friedman’s wife stumbled on something amazing.

— gwynedd stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "A Former Music Exec Just Found Hidden in His Attic 1,000 Never-Before-Seen Photos of Rock Legends," 11 Apr. 2018
Entirely on the other end of the design spectrum—and somehow just as, if not more, popular—are dad sneakers, the ones that look like they were dug up out of a circa-1993 time capsule.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Brandblack’s “Aura” Sneaker Is Extremely 2018," 6 Apr. 2018
But that uptick is something of a time capsule—capturing sentiment from a Wednesday CNBC interview with LongFin’s CEO Ventaka Meenavalli, in which the executive defended his company and blamed short sellers for his stock’s fall.

— lucinda shen, Fortune, "Bitcoin Mania Made Longfin a $6.2 Billion Company. Now Under SEC Scrutiny, Traders Can't Get Out of It," 6 Apr. 2018
While the social networks portray their products as time capsules of your fondest memories and conversations, the experience of poring through past posts is more like rummaging through a digital junk drawer of good, bad and ugly moments.

— brian x. chen, New York Times, "Want to Purge Your Social Media Timelines? Can You Spare a Few Hours?," 28 Mar. 2018
Walking inside was like entering a time capsule of vintage furniture covered in plastic, with a reproduction of Blue Boy on the wall and the polished black upright piano stacked with framed photographs.

— michael a. gonzales, The Root, "Roses," 25 Mar. 2018
Media: Brandpoint Litton, who now owns both homes, said the old wood-frame home is a time capsule of sorts.

— vanesa brashier, Houston Chronicle, "Cleveland 'time capsule home' offers glimpse at past," 21 Mar. 2018
The last moment Kansas and Kansas State were athletically similar looks like a time capsule.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "The day the Kansas-Kansas State rivalry changed forever | The Kansas City Star," 21 Mar. 2018
Sue Gross, the ex-wife of billionaire money manager Bill Gross, paid $20 million for a midcentury time capsule on North Alpine Drive.

— neal j. leitereg, latimes.com, "Adam Levine's exit from Holmby Hills among February's priciest home sales," 16 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

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

TIME CAPSULE Defined for Kids

time capsule

noun

Definition of time capsule for Students

: a container holding records or objects representative of a current culture that is put in a safe place for discovery in the future

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time capsule

Definition of time capsule

Recent Examples of time capsule from the Web

First Known Use of time capsule

TIME CAPSULE Defined for English Language Learners

time capsule

Definition of time capsule for English Language Learners

TIME CAPSULE Defined for Kids

time capsule

Definition of time capsule for Students

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Definition of time capsule

Recent Examples of time capsule from the Web

First Known Use of time capsule

TIME CAPSULE Defined for English Language Learners

time capsule

Definition of time capsule for English Language Learners

TIME CAPSULE Defined for Kids

time capsule

Definition of time capsule for Students

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