monolith

[mon-uh-lith]

noun

1. an obelisk, column, large statue, etc., formed of a single block of stone.

2. a single block or piece of stone of considerable size, especially when used in architecture or sculpture.

3. something having a uniform, massive, redoubtable, or inflexible quality or character.

monolith

/ ˈmɒnəlɪθ /

noun

1. a large block of stone or anything that resembles one in appearance, intractability, etc

2. a statue, obelisk, column, etc, cut from one block of stone

3. a large hollow foundation piece sunk as a caisson and having a number of compartments that are filled with concrete when it has reached its correct position

Other Word Forms

• monolithism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monolith¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Latin monolithus, from Greek monólithos “made of one stone”; equivalent to mono- + -lith

Word History and Origins

Origin of monolith¹

C19: via French from Greek monolithos made from a single stone

Example Sentences

But Mennonites are not a monolith, she said, and many have embraced vaccinations.

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"I believe human beings are multi-faceted, we are not a monolith," he said.

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“What about the b— that crumbles easily? We exist! We are not a monolith… No, no, no... I am Father.”

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Now Franz wants to find somebody to open a small cafe or pizzeria at the venue, but needs to get rid of the pop monolith first.

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So whatever qualms we may have on the nuance level, to the outside world we’re a monolith, even though we know we aren’t.

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