celt

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈselt 

: a prehistoric stone or metal implement shaped like a chisel or ax head

Celt

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈkelt  ˈselt 

1

: a member of a division of the early Indo-European peoples distributed from the British Isles and Spain to Asia Minor

2

: a modern Gael, Highland Scot, Irishman, Welshman, Cornishman, or Breton

Examples of celt in a Sentence

Noun (2)

The Celts defended their lands against the Romans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Got a personal question for everyone watching heats vs celts right now. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 30 May 2023

Researchers also uncovered celts, or ax heads, made from shell and stone, including some made from basalt that likely came from the distant Appalachians. —Bydavid Malakoff, science.org, 11 Apr. 2023

Either of those moves would elevate the Celts and give them another shot at a title. —Charles Curtis, USA TODAY, 17 May 2017

Celts also began the Halloween tradition of wearing costumes, according to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. —Brian Handwerk, National Geographic, 28 Oct. 2016

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Late Latin celtis chisel

Noun (2)

Latin Celtae, plural, from Greek Keltoi

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1748, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Celt

noun

ˈkelt  ˈselt 

: a member of a division of the early Indo-European peoples spread out from the British Isles and Spain to Asia Minor

also : a person whose ancestors were Celts