time capsule
A 'time capsule' serves as a bridge between the present and future, preserving artifacts and memories for later discovery.
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Definition
B2General
(common)A container holding items that represent the current time period, meant to be opened in the future.
Example
- The school buried a time capsule to be opened in 50 years.
- Each item in the time capsule tells a story about our present day.
C1Historical Preservation
(formal)A sealed container with artifacts and documents intended for future discovery to provide insight into past eras.
Example
- The museum's time capsule will be opened in 100 years to reveal its historical contents.
- Time capsules are often buried during significant events to capture the essence of that moment.
C1Figurative
(figurative)Something that encapsulates and preserves a moment in history due to isolation or specific circumstances.
Example
- The old diner is a time capsule of the 1950s.
- Her grandmother's attic felt like a time capsule, untouched for decades.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "time capsule":