petroglyph

noun

pet·​ro·​glyph ˈpe-trə-ˌglif How to pronounce petroglyph (audio)
: a carving or inscription on a rock

Examples of petroglyph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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California’s ancient petroglyphs in the eastern Sierra keep being vandalized. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025 Ancient petroglyphs, some believed to be up to 7,000 years old, have been vandalized on federal land in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, officials reported. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025 In December, two people who deputies said were photographed defacing another petroglyph in Utah were identified with help from the public, McClatchy News previously reported. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 4 Feb. 2025 There, children can learn about petroglyphs, partake in hula dancing lessons, build volcanic structures, hunt for lizards and other gentle wildlife on the property, or splash around in the many pools on the property. Jasmine Browley, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for petroglyph

Word History

Etymology

petro- + glyph, probably after hieroglyph

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petroglyph was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Petroglyph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroglyph. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

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