time immemorial

noun

1

: time so long past as to be indefinite in history or tradition

called also time out of mind

2

: a time antedating a period legally fixed as the basis for a custom or right

Examples of time immemorial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many view Brand’s actions as merely part of a long list of scams that stretches back to time immemorial. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

The traditional territories in Alberta are home to many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who have called these territories home for time immemorial. —Samantha Falewée, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2024

Humans have been pairing dishes with sauces from time immemorial. —Whizy Kim, Vox, 5 Sep. 2024

Such stores often have open quilting days, when people bring their sewing machines, rotary cutters, and irons and sit together sewing and gossiping, like women have done from time immemorial. —Ayelet Waldman, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Legal Definition

time immemorial

noun

time im·​me·​mo·​ri·​al

-ˌi-mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl

1

: a time beyond legal memory formerly fixed by English law as the beginning of the reign of Richard I in 1189 but modified in common law

2

: a time going back beyond the memory of any living person