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.

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noun

Olmecs, plural Olmec 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

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adjective

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Olmec
  plural
• Olmecs
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Olmec Olmecs

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

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

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

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

Since Bernal’s death many researchers have come to view the Olmec differently.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

The Olmecs are well-known for their advanced artistic tradition, including colossal head sculptures.

From Reuters ● May 27, 2023

Tamales date to pre-Hispanic times when Olmecs, Mexicas and Mayas prepared them for religious rituals, offerings and even placed them in tombs.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 30, 2023

The group claims, on its website, to descend from a wide range of peoples, including "the Olmecs, Moabites, Canaanites, Hittites," among others, but mainly a strong relationship of American-Moroccans.

From Fox News ● Jul. 3, 2021

Corn was more than a source of sustenance for the Olmecs, Maya and Aztecs; it also had important spiritual significance, as depicted in hieroglyphs and other artwork.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 16, 2018

At the same time that Mayan civilization was developing, the Olmecs, sometimes called Mexico’s “Mother Culture,” flourished in the Valley of Mexico.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz