immemorial

American  

[im-uh-mawr-ee-uhl, -mohr-] / ˌɪm əˈmɔr i əl, -ˈmoʊr- /

adjective

1. extending back beyond memory, record, or knowledge.

   from time immemorial.

   Synonyms:

   olden, ageless, ancient, timeless

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immemorial British  

/ ˌɪmɪˈmɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. originating in the distant past; ancient (postpositive in the phrase time immemorial )

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immemorial Idioms  

1. see time immemorial.

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Other Word Forms

• immemorially adverb

Etymology

Origin of immemorial

From the Medieval Latin word immemoriālis, dating back to 1595–1605. See im- ², memorial

Example Sentences

"Uganda has been ready for a civilian leader since time immemorial," he insists, adding that according to Uganda's constitution, the military must be subordinate to the civilian authority.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

The future promised by AI is exciting and lucrative, but there is something to be said for investors flocking to an asset that has been treasured since time immemorial.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

But the film, which hit theaters this Friday, is an attempt to upend many of the narrative tropes that have defined stories about disfigured and disabled people since time immemorial.

From Salon • Sep. 21, 2024

“We follow the Santa Ana river, so this goes back to time immemorial that we’ve been aware of this sacred ceremonial space.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2024

Everywhere he looked, he saw a world made of stories, the long ago, time immemorial stories, as old Grandma called them.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko