Phrase guide

time immemorial

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Time that extends beyond memory or record.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable, usually

Examples

  • from time immemorial

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: time out of mind, dawn of time, time of old

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The time before July 6, 1189, hence the time before the accession of Richard I.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, uncountable, usually

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the distant past beyond memory

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: time out of mind

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: past, past times, yesteryear

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: muinaisuus — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Finnish: ammoiset ajat — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • French: temps immémorial — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Georgian: უხსოვარი დრო (uxsovari dro) — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • German: unbekannte Zeit — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • German: Menschengedenken — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Hungarian: ősidők óta — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Italian: da che mondo è mondo — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Macedonian: памтивек (pamtivek) — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Polish: od dawien dawna — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Russian: незапа́мятные времена́ (nezapámjatnyje vremená) — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Spanish: tiempo inmemorial — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Swedish: urminnes tider — time that extends beyond memory or record
  • Finnish: ammoiset ajat — time before 6 July 1189