petroglyph

noun

pet·​ro·​glyph ˈpe-trə-ˌglif How to pronounce petroglyph (audio)
: a carving or inscription on a rock

Examples of petroglyph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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What to see today There are plenty of hikes and lookouts throughout the park, from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater to the petroglyph field, featuring ancient rock carvings, along the Chain of Craters Road. Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 20 May 2026 Float through spectacular canyons, check out petroglyphs and Native American ruins, conquer rapids, and spend your nights unwinding while gazing up at the Milky Way. Matt Bell, AFAR Media, 19 May 2026 Beyond eruptions and lava fields, the park also has miles of trails, native flora and fauna, as well as sacred petroglyphs. Kait Hanson, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026 The most accessible trail in the west park is Signal Hill, which passes boulders covered in Hohokam petroglyphs. Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for petroglyph

Word History

Etymology

petro- + glyph, probably after hieroglyph

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petroglyph was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Petroglyph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroglyph. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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