Olmec

American  

[ol-mek, ohl-] / ˈɒl mɛk, ˈoʊl- /

adjective

1. 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

Olmecs plural

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

Olmec British  

/ ˈɒlmɛk /

noun

1. 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

1. of or relating to these people or their civilization or culture

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• Olmec
  plural
• Olmecs
  plural

Example Sentences

Completing the immersive effect, shadows projected on the rear wall evoke Los Angeles street art and sights — an Olmec head; a raven on a power line.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2024

It was carved from volcanic rock sometime between 800-400 BC during the heyday of the Olmec civilization, one of Mexico’s earliest complex societies with sites mostly clustered around the country’s Gulf coast.

From Reuters • May 27, 2023

The Olmec sculpture’s return to Mexico was hailed by Mexico Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who spoke just before it was carefully hauled onto a plane for its trip back home.

From Reuters • May 27, 2023

Olmec art depicts numerous deities, such as a dragon god, a bird god, a fish god, and many fertility deities like a maize god and water gods.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

He looked positively offended at the Olmec failure to see the world in the same way as a contemporary European engineer.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann