momentous
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See heavy.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of momentous
Explanation
Momentous describes an important event or moment in time. It is used for a time of great consequence or for a major accomplishment, and is almost always reserved for good things. When a moment is so great you know you'll never forget it, you have just experienced something momentous. It can be personal — perhaps the day you were named prom queen; or something historic — like the day Elizabeth was named Queen of England. Momentous and momentary share the root word moment but momentary describes just one fleeting moment in time. A momentary occurrence can certainly be momentous, but it's not always the case.
Vocabulary lists containing momentous
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 3
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "M"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"From this far-flung corner of Europe on the Mediterranean Sea, one can more clearly perceive the momentous challenge that the phenomenon of migration poses to European societies," the Pope told Catholics on the island.
From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026
This week, Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and guest host Ruth Marcus discuss this week’s momentous Supreme Court rulings.
From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2026
The chapters are compact, the writing is brisk and direct, and momentous events—from the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 to the Allied firebombing of Tokyo during World War II—regularly punctuate the storytelling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
During a career that was chock-full of momentous events, The Beatles enjoyed plenty of turning points that contributed to their unparalleled achievements.
From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026
Holly was silent for a moment, processing this momentous revelation.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
