time capsule

American  

noun

time capsules plural

1. a receptacle containing documents or objects typical of the current period, placed in the earth or in a cornerstone for discovery in the future.

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time capsule British  

noun

1. a container holding articles, documents, etc, representative of the current age, buried in the earth or in the foundations of a new building for discovery in the future

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• time capsules
  plural

Etymology

Origin of time capsule

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

time capsule

America 250 organisers also buried a time capsule to be opened in 200 years, that included a Coca-Cola bottle, signed copy of the Constitution, and artifacts from the 50 states and US territories.

From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026

Americans living in 2276 will get a taste of what their ancestors today think best represents the nation thanks to a time capsule to be buried this July 4.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Another time capsule scheduled for opening when the United States turns 500 years old was unveiled a few days ago in Washington.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

America’s 250th anniversary planners had a seemingly simple mandate from Congress: Bury a time capsule in Philadelphia, with artifacts to be unearthed in another 250 years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

I heard they wanted to put Mr. Bell’s marvelous new telephone inside the time capsule, but they couldn’t get one.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman