prehistory
Americannoun
plural
prehistories-
human history in the period before recorded events, known mainly through archaeological discoveries, study, research, etc.; history of prehistoric humans.
-
a history of the events or incidents leading to a crisis, situation, or the like.
noun
-
the prehistoric period
-
the study of this period, relying entirely on archaeological evidence
Other Word Forms
- prehistorian noun
Etymology
Origin of prehistory
Explanation
Prehistory refers to the period of time before civilization and writing. We don't know a lot about prehistory. Since pre means "before," and history is the record of human events, prehistory refers to the time before human civilization developed and started writing things down. Scientists often speculate about what happened in prehistory, which is also known as prehistoric times. When did spoken language develop? What was the first tool? What were families like? Scientists study fossils and artifacts to help them theorize about prehistory, because people weren’t writing things down during that time.
Vocabulary lists containing prehistory
The Origins of Civilization, Lessons 1–2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Stone Age - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: pre-
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Apparently, this sunbathed land was as popular with interlopers in prehistory as it is now, and Portugal still boasts a large share of archaeological evidence.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Overall, the findings suggest that relationships between humans and wolves in prehistory were far more varied than once thought.
From Science Daily • Dec. 29, 2025
For prehistory fans, the Miocene, with its fantastic mammal life, is an immensely attractive period.
From Salon • Feb. 17, 2025
They spotted the apparent fossils in two parcels and sent them to be examined by a prehistory museum in the nearby city of Menton.
From BBC • Feb. 15, 2025
Africa’s diverse peoples resulted from its diverse geography and its long prehistory.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
