juggernaut

or Jug·ger·naut

[ juhg-er-nawt, -not ]

noun

1. any large, overpowering force or object, such as war, a giant battleship, or a powerful football team.
2. anything requiring blind devotion or cruel sacrifice.
3. Chiefly British. A large, heavy vehicle, especially a truck.

Juggernaut

¹

/ ˈdʒʌɡəˌnɔːt /

noun

1. a crude idol of Krishna worshipped at Puri and throughout Odisha (formerly Orissa) and Bengal. At an annual festival the idol is wheeled through the town on a gigantic chariot and devotees are supposed to have formerly thrown themselves under the wheels
2. a form of Krishna miraculously raised by Brahma from the state of a crude idol to that of a living god

juggernaut

²

/ ˈdʒʌɡəˌnɔːt /

noun

1. any terrible force, esp one that destroys or that demands complete self-sacrifice
2. a very large lorry for transporting goods by road, esp one that travels throughout Europe

Juggernaut

1. A deity in Hinduism , considered a deliverer from sin. His image is carried on a large wagon in an annual procession in India , and according to legend the wagon crushed worshipers who threw themselves under it.

Notes

A force, an idea, or a system of beliefs that overcomes opposition — especially if it does so ruthlessly — is called a “juggernaut.”

Other Words From

• Jug·ger·naut·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of juggernaut¹

First recorded in 1630–40, in the sense of an idol of Krishna annually drawn on an enormous cart in Puri, Odisha, India; 1840–45 juggernaut fordefs 1, 2; from Hindi Jagannāth, from Sanskrit Jagannātha- “lord of the world”; Jagannath ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of juggernaut¹

C17: from Hindi Jagannath, from Sanskrit Jagannātha lord of the world (that is, Vishnu, chief of the Hindu gods), from jagat world + nātha lord

Example Sentences

Gary Klein’s pick: The Rams’ offense played poorly against the Dolphins, but the Patriots average only 16 points a game, so there is no need to be a juggernaut.

From Los Angeles Times

Focused on songs, bright colors and a world with no sharp edges, “CoComelon” has become a children’s media juggernaut, spawning spin-offs, video games, toys, a live tour and a story-time podcast.

From Los Angeles Times

A victory for Kamala Harris next week would leave Trump with no new cards to play against the juggernaut of criminal cases already pending against him.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes to presidential fundraising, California is a juggernaut.

From Los Angeles Times

But his biggest obstacle came ultimately from its earliest supporters, who have sunk billions of dollars into the Los Angeles suburb, making it an entertainment juggernaut.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barrage
• cavalcade