date back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The origins of Memorial Day date back to 1868, when Civil War soldiers on the Union side decorated the graves of the war dead with flowers.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

Theories about the need for a “philosopher king” or “great man” to advance society date back centuries.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

The findings, published in Biology Letters, challenge ideas that date back to Charles Darwin.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

Named after the city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Kolhapuri sandals date back to the 12th Century and are traditionally made from leather, often using natural dyes suited to hot climates.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Still, from what we can tell, everyone, rich or poor, liked to flavor their food with spices—a taste that may well date back to Roman times.

From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson