Illustration of amphora
- amphora 1
amphora
noun
am·pho·ra
ˈam(p)-fə-rə 
plural amphorae
ˈam(p)-fə-ˌrē
-ˌrī
or amphoras
1
: an ancient Greek jar or vase with a large oval body, narrow cylindrical neck, and two handles that rise almost to the level of the mouth
broadly
: such a jar or vase used elsewhere in the ancient world
2
: a 2-handled vessel shaped like an amphora
Examples of amphora in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In ancient Greece or Rome, a tariff perhaps was two silver coins per amphora of olive oil.
—
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025
Experts identified the jug as an amphora — a piece of pottery sometimes used in funeral rituals to hold offerings or human remains, or as a grave marker.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
Inside the remnants of workshops, the archaeologists recovered an amphora containing yellow ocher and small jars filled with reddish pigments like realgar and red ocher.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
The monastery's mosaic floor features depictions of crosses, lions, doves, an amphora (a type of container vessel used in antiquity), flowers and geometric patterns.
—Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2025
Experts identified the jug as an amphora — a piece of pottery sometimes used in funeral rituals to hold offerings or human remains, or as a grave marker.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
Inside the remnants of workshops, the archaeologists recovered an amphora containing yellow ocher and small jars filled with reddish pigments like realgar and red ocher.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025
The monastery's mosaic floor features depictions of crosses, lions, doves, an amphora (a type of container vessel used in antiquity), flowers and geometric patterns.
—Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for amphora
Cite this Entry
“Amphora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphora. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
amphora
noun
am·pho·ra
ˈam(p)-fə-rə
plural amphorae
-fə-ˌrē
-ˌrī
or amphoras
-rəz
: an ancient Greek jar or vase with two handles
also
: such a jar or vase used elsewhere in the ancient world
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