monolithic

adjective

mono·​lith·​ic ˌmä-nə-ˈli-thik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling a monolith : huge, massive

a large monolithic building

an influential monolithic organization

b(1)

: formed from a single crystal

a monolithic silicon chip

(2)

: produced in or on a monolithic chip (see chip entry 1 sense 6b)

a monolithic circuit

2

a

: cast as a single piece

a monolithic concrete wall

b

: formed or composed of material without joints or seams

a monolithic floor covering

c

: consisting of or constituting a single unit

3

a

: constituting a massive undifferentiated and often rigid whole

a monolithic society

b

: exhibiting or characterized by often rigidly fixed uniformity

monolithic party unity

monolithically

ˌmä-nə-ˈli-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of monolithic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This helps explain why fault tolerance is such a large and complex endeavor, and why monolithic processors were not enough. —Paul Smith-Goodson, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

At its core, the project challenges monolithic portrayals and highlights the depth, complexity and pride within the community. —Emily Bogle, NPR, 27 May 2025

Indeed, the replacement of modernism by postmodernism was already a response to the fact that the one monolithic truth was becoming untenable for very disparate reasons (involving Eurocentrism and colonial thinking). —Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Problem: Wrong Style and Scale The brown leather furniture looked monolithic and did nothing to give the room personality. —Meghan Holloran, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see monolith

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for monolithic

• chalcolithic
• megalithic
• mesolithic
• neolithic
• lithic
• mythic
• paleolithic