1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate
b
: a lower animal as distinguished from a human being
c
: an animal as distinguished from a plant
d
: an animal under human control
2
: a contemptible person
3
: something formidably difficult to control or deal with
Examples of beast in a Sentence
dogs and other four-footed beasts
the birds and beasts of the forest
They were attacked by a savage beast.
He's a cruel, hateful beast!
Recent Examples on the Web
Hartford Courant Last word Couldn’t help but notice, the majestic 12-point beast that has been watching over Dunkin’ Park from the right field roof since day one — clearly visible even from the press box — mysteriously vanished this week.
—
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2025
His pole-dancing polar bear — a legless white beast posed like a defeated stripper — disarms the familiar.
—Petala Ironcloud, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Deep Robotics The rugged-looking beast is IP66 weather protected, and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 °C to 55 °C (-4 to 131 °F).
—New Atlas, 30 Apr. 2025
Against most experts’ expectations, the result suggested that dark energy—the mysterious force driving the universe’s accelerating expansion—was not an unwavering constant but rather a more fickle beast that was weakening over time.
—Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beast
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Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2025
His pole-dancing polar bear — a legless white beast posed like a defeated stripper — disarms the familiar.
—Petala Ironcloud, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Deep Robotics The rugged-looking beast is IP66 weather protected, and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 °C to 55 °C (-4 to 131 °F).
—New Atlas, 30 Apr. 2025
Against most experts’ expectations, the result suggested that dark energy—the mysterious force driving the universe’s accelerating expansion—was not an unwavering constant but rather a more fickle beast that was weakening over time.
—Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beast
Cite this Entry
“Beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beast. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beast
noun1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from human beings and from lower animals both with and without backbones
b
: a farm animal especially when kept for heavy work
2
: a mean or brutal person
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