time capsule: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “time capsule” mean?
A sealed container storing objects and documents from the present time, intended to be opened in the future to provide a record of contemporary life.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sealed container storing objects and documents from the present time, intended to be opened in the future to provide a record of contemporary life.
Metaphorically, any entity, place, or situation that preserves characteristics or elements from a past era, often evoking nostalgia or historical interest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; minor variations in pronunciation and occasional spelling preferences.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties, associated with preservation, history, and futurism.
Frequency
Slightly more prevalent in American English due to cultural practices like school projects, but widely understood and used in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “time capsule” in a Sentence
time capsule of [era]time capsule containing [items]time capsule from [year]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “time capsule” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They plan to time-capsule their memoirs for future generations.
American English
- We should time capsule these letters for our grandchildren.
adjective
British English
- The time-capsuled artefacts were discovered intact.
American English
- The time capsuled photos showed life in the 1990s.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may refer to preserving old methods or products for legacy purposes.
Academic
Common in history, archaeology, and sociology for discussing preservation of cultural artifacts.
Everyday
Used in contexts like school projects, community events, or personal nostalgia.
Technical
In preservation sciences, referring to methods for long-term storage of materials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “time capsule”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “time capsule”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “time capsule”
- Misspelling as one word 'timecapsule'.
- Using it to refer to a time travel device instead of a preservation container.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term gained widespread use in the 20th century, notably with the 1939 New York World's Fair time capsule project.
Yes, digital time capsules use electronic media to store information for future retrieval, often involving encrypted or time-locked data.
It varies; common durations are 25, 50, or 100 years, depending on the commemorative or educational goal.
Both 'time capsule' and 'time-capsule' are acceptable, but the two-word form is more frequent in modern usage.
A sealed container storing objects and documents from the present time, intended to be opened in the future to provide a record of contemporary life.
Time capsule: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˌkæp.sjuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaɪm ˌkæp.səl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a time capsule”
- “a living time capsule”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'time' as the era and 'capsule' as a small container; together, they hold moments from now for later.
Conceptual Metaphor
A container that encapsulates time, preserving the past for the future.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a time capsule?