behemoth

[ bih-hee-muhth, bee-uh- ]

noun

1. an animal, perhaps the hippopotamus, mentioned in the Bible.
2. any creature or thing of monstrous size or power:

   The army's new tank is a behemoth.

   The cartel is a behemoth that small business owners fear.

behemoth

/ bɪˈhiːmɒθ /

noun

1. Old Testament a gigantic beast, probably a hippopotamus, described in Job 40:15
2. a huge or monstrous person or thing

Word History and Origins

Origin of behemoth¹

1350–1400; from Hebrew bəhēmōth, an augmentative plural of bəhēmāh beast; replacing Middle English bemoth

Word History and Origins

Origin of behemoth¹

C14: from Hebrew běhēmōth , plural of běhēmāh beast

Related Words

• beast
• leviathan
• monster