antiquity
noun
an·tiq·ui·ty
an-ˈti-kwə-tē 
plural antiquities
1
: ancient times
especially
: those before the Middle Ages
a town that dates from antiquity
2
: the quality of being ancient
a castle of great antiquity
3
antiquities plural
a
: relics or monuments (such as coins, statues, or buildings) of ancient times
a museum of Greek antiquities
b
: matters relating to the life or culture of ancient times
the study of Germanic antiquities
4
: the people of ancient times
records left by antiquity
Examples of antiquity in a Sentence
The town dates from antiquity.
A palace stood here in antiquity.
a museum of Roman antiquities
Recent Examples on the Web
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In 1862, an American antiquities dealer was in an Egyptian marketplace, squinting at a scroll.
—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
But a new exhibit lays out an uncomfortable truth for the storied museum: Some of its collection was looted and sold on the illicit antiquities market with the help of a Colorado art scholar.
—Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2025
The statue is being examined further and will reportedly be given to the local antiquities authority so it can be preserved and studied.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 27 Jan. 2025
The piece will be sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis before making its way to the local antiquities authority, as the Associated Press’ Costas Kantouris reports.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for antiquity 
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Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
But a new exhibit lays out an uncomfortable truth for the storied museum: Some of its collection was looted and sold on the illicit antiquities market with the help of a Colorado art scholar.
—Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2025
The statue is being examined further and will reportedly be given to the local antiquities authority so it can be preserved and studied.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 27 Jan. 2025
The piece will be sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis before making its way to the local antiquities authority, as the Associated Press’ Costas Kantouris reports.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for antiquity
Dictionary Entries Near antiquity
Cite this Entry
“Antiquity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiquity. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
antiquity
noun
an·tiq·ui·ty
an-ˈtik-wət-ē
plural antiquities
1
: ancient times
especially
: those before the Middle Ages
2
: very great age
3
plural
: objects or monuments from ancient times
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