apocalypse

noun

apoc·​a·​lypse ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips How to pronounce apocalypse (audio)
plural apocalypses
1
a
: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a messianic kingdom
b
capitalized : revelation sense 3
2
a
: something viewed as a prophetic revelation
3
a
: a large, disastrous fire : inferno
Most foresters agree that small, "prescribed" burns, carefully controlled, are essential to prevent the larger apocalypse.Lance Morrow
b
: a great disaster
an environmental apocalypse

Examples of apocalypse in a Sentence

His book tells of an environmental apocalypse. the fear that the next global pandemic could be an apocalypse of biblical proportions
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The typical doomsayers came out in force to predict some new apocalypse, but several less frightening factors seemed to be at play. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 My point isn’t that The Last Of Us should be creating a Jackson that is a magical, oasis free of judgment, hate, and societal issues — that’s probably more of a fantasy than a mushroom zombie apocalypse. Patricia Karounos, Refinery29, 14 Apr. 2025 For their turn as fierce and vulnerable apocalypse survivor Ellie in season 1 of The Last of Us, Ramsey earned an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama nomination at the Emmys. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025 Adolescence producer Warp Films is making a TV drama adaptation of the nuclear movie, which portrayed a fictional apocalypse in the north England city of Sheffield. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apocalypse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Apocalipse "Revelation (the New Testament book)," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin apocalypsis "revelation, the Book of Revelation," borrowed from Greek apokálypsis "uncovering, disclosure, revelation," from apokalyp-, stem of apokalýptein "to uncover, disclose, reveal" (from apo- apo- + kalýptein "to cover, protect, conceal," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis

Note: Greek kalýptein is associated in older handbooks with Indo-European *ḱel- "conceal" (see conceal), though neither the vocalism nor the supposed extension *-up- are easily explicable.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocalypse was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Apocalypse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalypse. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

apocalypse

1 of 2 noun
apoc·​a·​lypse
ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips
1
: something thought of as a prophetic revelation
2
a
: the place or time of the final battle between good and evil
b
: a decisive battle
3
: a great disaster
apocalyptic
ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik
adjective

Apocalypse

2 of 2 noun
: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 by an author writing under a pseudonym that is marked by symbolic imagery and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a heavenly kingdom see bible

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