cuneiform

1 of 2

adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm How to pronounce cuneiform (audio) ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- How to pronounce cuneiform (audio)
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

Illustration of cuneiform
  • cuneiform 2

Examples of cuneiform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The highly informative cuneiform tablets not only shed light on the day-to-day goings on of how the empire functioned, but also conveys larger societal values like education and female leadership. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025 Written partially in cuneiform—an ancient Middle Eastern writing system—the tablets contain records of state affairs, blueprints for buildings, maps of canals and accounts of commodities like livestock, fish, barley, cloth and gems. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2025 Tens of thousands of cuneiform tablets are sitting around, just waiting to be translated. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025 More than 200 clay cuneiform tablets and 60 seals linked to the Ancient Mesopotamian government were discovered by archaeologists at the ancient Sumerian city Girsu or the present-day site Tello in southern Iraq. Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cuneiform

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuneiform was in 1677

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cuneiform.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuneiform. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective
cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm How to pronounce cuneiform (audio) ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- How to pronounce cuneiform (audio)
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 How to pronounce cuneiform (audio) ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- How to pronounce cuneiform (audio)
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

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