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 Hollister polos of our high school nightmares are still firmly secured in the time capsule. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024

Now, these structures act as time capsules, evidencing the strength of the magnetic field at various points in Earth’s development. —Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024

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