cuneiform

1 of 2

adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters

cuneiform syllabary

cuneiform

2 of 2

noun

1

: a cuneiform part

specifically : a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

: cuneiform writing

Illustration of cuneiform

• cuneiform 2

Examples of cuneiform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Share [Findings] Archaeologists translated cuneiform tablets recording shareholder agreements for the first company in Anatolia. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

Inside the larger shrine, researchers found a monumental stone dais—a low platform for the statue of a god or goddess worshipped in the temple—featuring a cuneiform inscription. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Before cuneiform, however, there was an archaic script using abstract pictographic signs called proto-cuneiform. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Before the invention of alphabets, early writing systems—like hieroglyphs and cuneiform—used symbols representing objects or phonetic sounds. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: made up of or written with marks or letters shaped like wedges

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: cuneiform writing

Medical Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: of, relating to, or being a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

of a human skull : wedge-shaped as viewed from above

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: a cuneiform bone or cartilage