monolith

American  

[mon-uh-lith] / ˈmɒn ə lɪθ /

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.

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monolith British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• monolithism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of monolith

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

Explanation

When something is really huge, like a giant stone, building, or company, call it a monolith. You can also use it to describe a huge amount of work, like the monolith that is your 40-page term paper. The noun monolith comes from the Greek words monos, meaning “single” and lithos, meaning “stone.” Any large structures, like a factory that could cover many football fields in size, can be called a monolith. So can monuments that have little definition, like Stonehenge. Even companies that seem to be everywhere, their products and neon-signed restaurants covering the globe, can be called monoliths.

Example Sentences

The decision means the anticipated Wonder Woman game, which has been in production for three years at one of the affected studios, Monolith, will not be released.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2025

Squid's debut album, Bright Green Field, reached number four in the UK album charts in 2021 and the follow up, O Monolith, got to number 34.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Both products are usually made through highly polluting methods, but Monolith thinks it can do so without heating the planet.

From New York Times • May 11, 2023

"As the only U.S.-headquartered tire manufacturer, it’s especially rewarding to be at the connection point of significant U.S. innovation with Monolith" and the Energy Department, said Richard Kramer, Goodyear’s chairman and CEO.

From Fox News • Jan. 26, 2022

The last events mentioned in the Monolith date from 880 and it is thus far earlier than our present edition of the Annals, which contains events from so late a date as 867.

From Assyrian Historiography by Olmstead, A. T. (Albert Ten Eyck)