antiquity

noun

an·​tiq·​ui·​ty an-ˈti-kwə-tē 

plural antiquities

1

: ancient times

especially : those before the Middle Ages

a town that dates from antiquity

2

: the quality of being ancient

a castle of great antiquity

3

antiquities plural

a

: relics or monuments (such as coins, statues, or buildings) of ancient times

a museum of Greek antiquities

b

: matters relating to the life or culture of ancient times

the study of Germanic antiquities

4

: the people of ancient times

records left by antiquity

Synonyms

• age
• agedness
• ancientness
• hoariness

Examples of antiquity in a Sentence

The town dates from antiquity.

A palace stood here in antiquity.

a museum of Roman antiquities

Recent Examples on the Web

Dating back to classical antiquity, the idea that a soothsayer can tell something about a person’s health, disposition, or destiny from the lines on their palm has long fascinated seers and scientists alike. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2024

Most international visitors are blown away by Caral’s atmosphere of antiquity, the engineering of the pyramids, and the views, says Otto Abad, who founded Peruna Tours in 2019, which specializes in Caral day trips from Lima. —Elissa Garay, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024

That piece was repatriated in the aftermath of an antiquities trafficking investigation conducted by New York authorities, who have in the past years worked closely with Italy on repatriation claims. —Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Send any news, comments, illicit antiquities listings, and foundering resorts to [e-mail]. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see antique entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

antiquity

noun

an·​tiq·​ui·​ty an-ˈtik-wət-ē 

plural antiquities

1

: ancient times

especially : those before the Middle Ages

2

: very great age

3

plural : objects or monuments from ancient times