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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The concierge can accommodate a wide range of activities, from touring Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch to hiking the Bandelier National Monument to see its historic petroglyphs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Because of the original natural beauty of this place, with its hidden side canyons, petroglyphs, and cottonwood trees, the flooding of Glen Canyon for Lake Powell has always been controversial. — Story Hinckley, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 Getting there involves climbing a rocky path through the Tian-Shan mountains and crossing a seasonal snow bridge where the petroglyphs can be accessed for just a fleeting six-week window each summer. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 Rather than heading straight for Utah, spend time exploring the desert beyond the Strip, including the red-rock formations and ancient petroglyphs of Valley of Fire State Park. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 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

Rhymes for petroglyph

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Browse Nearby Words

petrogeny
petroglyph
petroglyphic
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Cite this Entry

“Petroglyph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petroglyph. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on petroglyph

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about petroglyph

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