antiquity

UK: /ænˈtɪkwɪti/ US: /ænˈtɪkwɪti/ ,(an tik′wi tē)

Inflections of 'antiquity' (n): npl: antiquities

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

an•tiq•ui•ty /ænˈtɪkwɪti/   n., pl. -ties. 

1. [uncountable] the quality of being ancient;
   ancientness:
   a bowl of great antiquity.
2. ancient times;
   former ages:
   [uncountable] in the days of antiquity.
3. Ancient History [uncountable] the period of history before the Middle Ages.
4. [countable* usually plural] things belonging to or remaining from ancient times, as relics or customs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

an•tiq•ui•ty  (an tik′wi tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. the quality of being ancient;
   ancientness:
   a bowl of great antiquity.
2. ancient times;
   former ages:
   the splendor of antiquity.
3. Ancient History the period of history before the Middle Ages.
4. the peoples, nations, tribes, or cultures of ancient times.
5. Usually, antiquities. something belonging to or remaining from ancient times, as monuments, relics, or customs.

• Latin antīquitās, equivalent. to antīqu(us) old (see antique) + -itās -ity
• Anglo-French
• Middle English antiquite 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

antiquity / ænˈtɪkwɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the quality of being ancient or very old: a vase of great antiquity
2. the far distant past, esp the time preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
3. the people of ancient times collectively; the ancients