Olmec

[ ol-mek, ohl- ]

/ ˈɒl mɛk, ˈoʊl- /

Archaeology

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adjective

of or designating a Mesoamerican civilization, c1000–400 b.c., along the southern Gulf coast of Mexico, characterized by extensive agriculture, a dating system, long-distance trade networks, pyramids and ceremonial centers, and very fine jade work.

noun, plural Ol·mecs, (especially collectively) Ol·mec.

a member of the ancient people who belonged to the Olmec civilization.

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Words nearby Olmec

olla podrida, oller, Ollie, olm, “Ol' Man River”, Olmec, Olmert, Olmsted, Olmütz, ologoan, ology

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Olmec in a sentence

Our knowledge of Olmec history subsequent to their first appearance, is confined to a few events which occurred in Puebla.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5|Hubert Howe Bancroft
At last it was resolved at a council of the Olmec chiefs to free themselves once for all from their oppressors.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5|Hubert Howe Bancroft
During the Olmec period, that is, the earliest period of Nahua power, the great Quetzalcoatl appeared.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5|Hubert Howe Bancroft
The teachings and influence of Quetzalcoatl had preceded him among the Olmec nations of the eastern region.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume 5|Hubert Howe Bancroft

Baudelier concludes him to have been a prominent gifted Indian leader, perhaps of Toltec origin, perhaps Olmec.
Mexico|Susan Hale

British Dictionary definitions for Olmec

Olmec

/ (ˈɒlmɛk) /

noun plural -mecs or -mec

a member of an ancient Central American Indian people who inhabited the southern Gulf Coast of Mexico and flourished between about 1200 and 400 bc

adjective

of or relating to these people or their civilization or culture

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012