time capsule

noun

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

Examples of time capsule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The arty flick remains a time capsule of swinging London, when the Rolls-Royce cemented itself as a symbol of success. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2025

Asteroid Ryugu is proving to be one of the most scientifically valuable time capsules in the solar system. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The flagship building on the campus is a time capsule as well. —Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2025

At the time, Daigle and his late wife had just moved in and didn't have much furniture, giving the production team more flexibility to transform the home into a midcentury time capsule. —Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

time capsule

noun

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