antiquity
Americannoun
-
the quality of being ancient; ancientness.
a bowl of great antiquity.
-
ancient times; former ages.
the splendor of antiquity.
-
the period of history before the Middle Ages.
-
the peoples, nations, tribes, or cultures of ancient times.
-
Usually antiquities. something belonging to or remaining from ancient times, as monuments, relics, or customs.
noun
-
the quality of being ancient or very old
a vase of great antiquity
-
the far distant past, esp the time preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
-
the people of ancient times collectively; the ancients
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of antiquity
1350–1400; Middle English antiquite < Anglo-French < Latin antīquitās, equivalent to antīqu ( us ) old ( see antique) + -itās -ity
Explanation
If you find an antiquity, call a museum: you just found something very old. Antiquity can also mean the idea of oldness. The word antique should be a clue to the meaning of this word, which refers to things that are extremely old or ancient. This isn't grandparent old — this is really old, like hundreds or even thousands of years old. People also use this word to compare old ways of doing things to new ways: you could say an old-fashioned idea is an antiquity that goes against modernity (newer ideas and ways of doing things). Antiquity can also mean the time before the Middle Ages.
Vocabulary lists containing antiquity
The Hobbit
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tolkien Reading Day, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Vocabulary from "John L. O'Sullivan on 'Manifest Destiny' " from 1839
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Published in Antiquity Project Gallery and co-led by Durham University and Kazakhstan's Toraighyrov University, the new study presents the first comprehensive archaeological survey of Semiyarka, a carefully planned settlement covering about 140 hectares.
From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2025
The research is published in the academic journal Antiquity.
From BBC • Oct. 28, 2024
In a paper published today in Antiquity, the researchers describe the unusual burning event, which was dated to about 1200 years ago.
From Science Magazine • Apr. 17, 2024
Antiquity and futurism define Bottega Veneta’s winter collection, a phantasmic atmosphere infusing pieces like the Cotton Patched Pointelle dress.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2023
But Penelope had not gotten an A in her Great Orations of Antiquity class for nothing.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
