behemoth

noun

be·​he·​moth bi-ˈhē-məth How to pronounce behemoth (audio) ˈbē-ə-məth How to pronounce behemoth (audio)
-ˌmäth,
-ˌmȯth
often attributive
1
often capitalized religion : a mighty animal described in Job 40:15–24 as an example of the power of God
2
: something of monstrous size, power, or appearance
a behemoth truck

Did you know?

In the biblical book of Job, Behemoth is the name of a powerful grass-eating, river-dwelling beast with bones likened to bronze pipes and limbs likened to iron bars. Scholars have speculated that the biblical creature was inspired by the hippopotamus, but details about the creature’s exact nature are vague. The word first passed from Hebrew into Latin, where, according to 15th century English poet and monk John Lydgate it referred to "a beast rude full of cursednesse." In modern English, behemoth mostly functions as an evocative term for something of monstrous size, power, or appearance.

Examples of behemoth in a Sentence

the newest SUV is a gas-guzzling behemoth that doesn't even fit in a standard parking space
Recent Examples on the Web
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The CEOs of the tech and consumer behemoths that dominate the list in America have instead honed their experiences at other U.S.-based corporations. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 23 Oct. 2024 Is China an unstoppable economic, scientific, and military behemoth destined to dominate the shape of the 21st century? Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 This fall from grace, for a member of one of the biggest cultural behemoths of all time, was too delicious for people not to mock on Twitter. Lucy Ford, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024 Until now, Lawrence has primarily been known for her acting roles, from Oscar-winning critics hits like Silver Linings Playbook to the box office behemoths like The Hunger Games. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for behemoth 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin, from Hebrew bĕhēmōth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of behemoth was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near behemoth

Cite this Entry

“Behemoth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behemoth. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

behemoth

noun
be·​he·​moth bi-ˈhē-məth How to pronounce behemoth (audio) ˈbē-ə-ˌməth How to pronounce behemoth (audio)
-ˌmäth,
-ˌmȯth
1
often capitalized : an animal described in the Bible that is probably the hippopotamus
2
: something of monstrous size or power

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