1. pictures or symbols used to represent words, ideas, or objects in writing systems
2. ancient rock paintings or drawings made by prehistoric peoples
Usage: archaeology

Examples

• Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs include many pictographs that directly represent objects.
• The museum displayed pictographs found in caves throughout the Southwest.
• Early writing systems relied heavily on pictographs before developing more abstract symbols.
• Native American pictographs on canyon walls tell stories of hunting and daily life.
• Modern road signs often use pictographs so drivers can understand them quickly.
• The archaeologist studied pictographs to learn about prehistoric cultures.
• Chinese characters evolved from simple pictographs into more complex forms.