artifact

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'artifact' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a man-made object that has some historical or cultural significance. For example, "The museum features a variety of ancient artifacts from the Greek era."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The R2 team consisted of a number of QAs, and the most obvious artifact that the QAs produced and worked with was the test script: a series of detailed instruction that explained what to test and how to test it.

The Guardian

Tulipmania was only a contractual artifact.

The Economist

It also seems to me that some of this is an artifact of using a log scale.

The Economist

In other words, the correlation between having fewer parties and low petrol taxes may be an artifact of the British Empire's colonisation of several very large, sparsely populated land masses.Mr Orellana may not have picked the best case to illustrate his point.

The Economist

The output is really more of an artifact of the machine using the tape as the computer.We are surrounded by black boxes, beautiful shiny things like phones and cameras that hide the means of computation.

The Economist

But they have also paid a price for their tactics among the so-called "Rockefeller" Republicans in the north-east who tend towards the Democratic Party.More jaw than war?Do these repeated episodes in the culture wars mark deep-seated divisions over values, or are they an artifact of a highly polarised but unrepresentative political system?

The Economist

Chief Seattle's famous speech, for that matter, is pretty clearly an artifact of white romantic sensibilities; the first account of it we have is one written 32 years after the fact by Dr Henry Smith, a Duwamish-speaking white man who claimed to have been there.

The Economist

Many were thrilled by the subversive power of works like "Artifact" (1984) in which, among other peculiarities, the front curtain repeatedly rose and crashed to the stage.

The Economist

An artifact of temperature data As a rule, climate scientists were previously very confident that the planet would be warmer than it is by now, and no one knows for sure why it isn't.

The Economist

The unit of measure, the nation-state, is an artifact of an old way of thinking about places and is long past its expiry date.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I remember how great was the scoffing in the early 1970s when John first described 'place cells' … 'Bound to be an artifact', 'He clearly underestimates rats' sense of smell', were typical reactions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical or archaeological contexts, use "artifact" to specifically refer to objects made or modified by humans that offer insight into past cultures. Consider using more descriptive alternatives if the context requires greater specificity.

Common error

Avoid using "artifact" to describe natural formations or phenomena. The term specifically refers to objects created or modified by humans. For instance, a mountain range isn't an artifact, but a stone tool found within it is.

Linguistic Context

The word "artifact" functions primarily as a noun, referring to an object made or modified by humans, especially one of historical or cultural interest. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, including archaeology, technology, and philosophy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "artifact" is a versatile noun used to describe objects made or modified by humans, typically holding historical or cultural importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples demonstrate its prevalence in scientific and journalistic writing. When considering alternatives, it's crucial to assess the context and desired level of specificity, such as ""historical relic"" or ""cultural object"". Remember that while "artifact" is American English, "artefact" is the preferred spelling in British English. Using the term appropriately enhances clarity and precision in academic, scientific, and other formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

historical artifact

Combines both historical and artifactual aspects of the object.

cultural heritage object

Highlights the importance of preserving the object as part of cultural heritage.

historical relic

Focuses specifically on the historical aspect of the object, emphasizing its connection to the past.

cultural object

Emphasizes the cultural significance of the object, highlighting its role in representing a particular culture.

archaeological find

Specifically refers to an object discovered through archaeological excavation.

ancient item

Highlights the age of the object, emphasizing its antiquity.

man-made object

Focuses on the object's creation by humans, rather than its natural origin.

product of human workmanship

Emphasizes the human skill and effort involved in creating the object.

material culture

Broader term encompassing all physical objects created and used by a culture.

vestige

Refers to something that remains as evidence of something that has disappeared or ceased to exist.

FAQs

How to use "artifact" in a sentence?

You can use "artifact" to refer to a man-made object with cultural or historical significance. For example, "The museum displays a collection of ancient artifacts."

What can I say instead of "artifact"?

Alternatives include "historical relic", "cultural object", or "archaeological find" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "artifact" or "artefact"?

"Artifact" is the standard spelling in American English, while "artefact" is more common in British English. Both are acceptable, but consistency within a document is key.

What's the difference between "artifact" and "relic"?

While both terms refer to objects from the past, "artifact" specifically implies human creation or modification, whereas "relic" can also refer to objects associated with a saint or holy person, or something that survives as evidence of an event.