petroglyph
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of petroglyph
First recorded in 1865–70; from French pétroglyphe; equivalent to petro- 1 + glyph
Explanation
A petroglyph is an ancient rock carving or painting. Antarctica is the only continent where petroglyphs haven't been discovered. One of the best-known North American examples of prehistoric rock art can be seen at the Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico, where more than 25,000 designs were carved into volcanic rock by Indigenous Americans. Some petroglyphs illustrate daily life or maps, while others appear to be early symbolic languages. The word comes from the French pétroglyphe and Greek roots petra, "rock," and glyphē, "carving."
Vocabulary lists containing petroglyph
Selection Vocabulary 3, Unit 1
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Heroes of the Water Monster
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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.
Bureau of Land Management is offering a $1,500 reward for information on the people responsible for damaging the petroglyph panels in the 36,000-acre Volcanic Tablelands in Owens Valley.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2025
You can find an ancient petroglyph of a harbor seal’s face at Drummond Park, across from the ferry landing in Fulford.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 3, 2023
Every petroglyph tells a story and documents a direct connection to ancestors who lived tens of thousands of years ago, she said.
From New York Times ● Dec. 11, 2022
But as we draw near, the form reveals itself: Nacho Libre in his cape, mask and shiny high-top boots, standing one-legged and holding his kayak paddle-spear-like, as if posing for a petroglyph.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 7, 2022
The 12-year-old girl from Sandy inspected one petroglyph cut into rock hundreds of years ago by Fremont Indians.
From Washington Times ● May 24, 2019
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.
