prehistory
noun
pre·his·to·ry
ˌprē-ˈhi-st(ə-)rē 
1
: the study of prehistoric humankind
2
: a history of the antecedents of an event, situation, or thing
3
: the prehistoric period of human evolution
Examples of prehistory in a Sentence
We are learning about the prehistory of North America.
Recent Examples on the Web
The tidy tropes of our prehistory have collapsed under the weight of evidence: there is no single missing link that bridges apes and humankind, no drumbeat march of progress toward a predestined goal.
—
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2020
The move from stone to bronze to iron makes for a useful synopsis of prehistory, but in truth, these ages require a bit more attention to truly understand their importance.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2024
On the other side were Rousseau’s, who saw in prehistory—and its putative living representatives among non-Western societies—forms of egalitarianism and harmony that modernity had destroyed.
—Maya Jasanoff, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
The museum began with the collection of Kapustin’s father and later developed into a volunteer-run gallery dedicated to prehistory.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prehistory 
Kate Wong, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2020
The move from stone to bronze to iron makes for a useful synopsis of prehistory, but in truth, these ages require a bit more attention to truly understand their importance.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 10 May 2024
On the other side were Rousseau’s, who saw in prehistory—and its putative living representatives among non-Western societies—forms of egalitarianism and harmony that modernity had destroyed.
—Maya Jasanoff, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
The museum began with the collection of Kapustin’s father and later developed into a volunteer-run gallery dedicated to prehistory.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prehistory
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prehistory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prehistory
Cite this Entry
“Prehistory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prehistory. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prehistory
noun
pre·his·to·ry
(ˈ)prē-ˈhis-t(ə-)rē
: the study of prehistoric man
prehistorian
noun
ˌprē-(h)is-ˈtōr-ē-ən
-ˈtȯr-
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