artifact

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An object made by people, especially one that has historical or cultural importance.

   Grammar: Countable: one artifact, two artifacts. Often used in archaeology and museums.

   Patterns

   • an ancient artifact
   • a cultural artifact
   • a collection of artifacts

   The museum displays artifacts from ancient Egypt.

   Archaeologists uncovered several artifacts at the site.

   This pottery artifact dates back to the Bronze Age.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   An unwanted mark or error in an image, recording, or scientific result, caused by the process used.

   Grammar: Countable: a digital artifact, visual artifacts. Common in technical contexts.

   Patterns

   • a visual artifact
   • digital artifacts
   • remove artifacts

   The photo had strange artifacts because of the low resolution.

   The software removes artifacts from the scanned image.

   The MRI scan showed some artifacts that made it hard to read.

Word forms

Common combinations

ancient artifact

The ancient artifact was carefully packed for transport.

cultural artifact

A flag can be seen as a cultural artifact.

digital artifact

The digital artifact appeared as a pixelated area in the video.

remove artifacts

The editor can remove artifacts from the recording.

Synonyms and how they differ

relic

Often refers to an object surviving from a distant past, especially with religious or historical value; artifact is broader.

antique

An old and valuable object, often furniture or decorative; artifact is more about historical or cultural significance.

Opposites

Word family

artifactual adjective

Relating to artifacts or caused by artifacts.

Commonly confused: artifact or artifice?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “artifact”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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