pictograph

noun

pic·​to·​graph ˈpik-tə-ˌgraf 

1

: an ancient or prehistoric drawing or painting on a rock wall

2

: one of the symbols belonging to a pictorial graphic system

3

: a diagram representing statistical data by pictorial forms

pictographic

ˌpik-tə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

Examples of pictograph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Understanding that motifs from seals are directly related to the pictographs that would eventually lay the foundation for the first writing system shows how meaning was transferred from motifs to script, the study authors said. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Participants also can join field trips to Mine Wash and pictograph and petroglyph sites. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

The pictographs date back 10,000 years, and although many are on private property and off-limits to visitors, tours are available at the nearby Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024

The pictograph is read from right to left at the beginning, then each subsequent line is read from the opposite direction of the previous. —Carin Schoppmeyer, arkansasonline.com, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin pictus + English -o- + -graph

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pictograph

noun

pic·​to·​graph ˈpik-tə-ˌgraf 

1

: an ancient or prehistoric drawing or painting on a rock wall

2

: one of the symbols of a system of picture writing

3

: a diagram representing statistical information by pictures which can be varied in color, size, or number to indicate change

pictographic

ˌpik-tə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective