pictograph

[ pik-tuh-graf, -grahf ]

noun

1. a pictorial sign or symbol.
2. a record consisting of pictorial symbols, as a prehistoric cave drawing or a graph or chart with symbolic figures representing a certain number of people, cars, factories, etc.

pictograph

/ ˈpɪktəˌɡrɑːf; pɪkˈtɒɡrəfɪ; ˌpɪktəˈɡræfɪk; -ˌɡræf /

noun

1. a picture or symbol standing for a word or group of words, as in written Chinese
2. a chart on which symbols are used to represent values, such as population levels or consumption

Derived Forms

• pictographic, adjective
• pictography, noun

Other Words From

• pic·to·graph·ic [pik-t, uh, -, graf, -ik], adjective
• picto·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pictograph¹

1850–55; < Latin pict ( us ) painted ( picture ) + -o- + -graph

Word History and Origins

Origin of pictograph¹

C19: from Latin pictus, from pingere to paint

Example Sentences

Boldly sculpted or painted pictographs and petroglyphs are easier to work around, while fine-lined carvings demand a bit more caution.

From Outside Online

Its earliest manifestations were simple pictographs on the digital cave wall of a TV screen.

From MIT Technology Review

The other pictograph shows one or more rectangular layers filled with dots, and means tlalli, or “earth.”

From Science News

And the common pictograph to represent the Arikara among all the surrounding tribes was a conventionalised ear of corn.

From Project Gutenberg

Fig. 214 is an Ojibwa pictograph found in Schoolcraft, I, pl.

From Project Gutenberg

The Ojibwa pictograph for sun is seen in Fig. 169, taken from Schoolcraft, loc.

From Project Gutenberg

Fig. 211 is an Ojibwa pictograph taken from Schoolcraft, loc.

From Project Gutenberg

First, it is simply a representation of an object or a phenomenon, that is, a pictograph.

From Project Gutenberg