prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-ik 
-ˈstär-
variants
or less commonly prehistorical
ˌprē-(h)i-ˈstȯr-i-kəl
-ˈstär-
1
: of, relating to, or existing in times antedating written history
2
: of or relating to a language in a period of its development from which contemporary records of its sounds and forms have not been preserved
3
: regarded as being outdated or outmoded
prehistoric attitudes
Examples of prehistoric in a Sentence
His attitudes about women are downright prehistoric.
prehistoric notions about mental illness that have no place in today's world
Recent Examples on the Web
Research conducted at Zvejnieki has often challenged longheld assumptions about gender roles in prehistoric Europe.
—
Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Towering over its modern relatives, this prehistoric predator was not only the largest species of lion ever recorded, but also one of the top apex predators of the Ice Age.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Near the trailhead is Mexican artist Jose Dávila’s The Act of Being Together, a site-specific work comprising megalithic structures that recall prehistoric sites such as Stonehenge and Machu Picchu.
—Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
According to Hamilton’s study, freely roaming bison in Yellowstone National Park—the only place in the lower 48 where bison have continuously free-ranged since prehistoric times—play a pivotal role in the ecosystem.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
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Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Towering over its modern relatives, this prehistoric predator was not only the largest species of lion ever recorded, but also one of the top apex predators of the Ice Age.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Near the trailhead is Mexican artist Jose Dávila’s The Act of Being Together, a site-specific work comprising megalithic structures that recall prehistoric sites such as Stonehenge and Machu Picchu.
—Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2025
According to Hamilton’s study, freely roaming bison in Yellowstone National Park—the only place in the lower 48 where bison have continuously free-ranged since prehistoric times—play a pivotal role in the ecosystem.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prehistoric
Cite this Entry
“Prehistoric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistoric. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prehistoric
adjective
pre·his·tor·ic
ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtȯr-ik
-ˈtär-
: of, relating to, or existing in times before written history
prehistoric animals
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