colossus

American  

[kuh-los-uhs] / kəˈlɒs əs /

noun

plural

colossi, colossuses

1. (initial capital letter) the legendary bronze statue of Helios at Rhodes.

2. any statue of gigantic size.

3. anything colossal, gigantic, or very powerful.

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colossus British  

/ kəˈlɒsəs /

noun

1. something very large, esp a statue

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Etymology

Origin of colossus

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek kolossós statue, image, presumably < a pre-Hellenic Mediterranean language

Explanation

The original colossus was an enormous statue that was supposed to have guarded the ancient Greek island and city of Rhodes. Now, though, we use the noun colossus for someone of huge importance, reputation, or influence. In the world of American music, Louis Armstrong is a colossus. He invented or perfected many of the elements of what we now call jazz — there's probably no figure of greater importance in that field. Even the second most important athlete in the world seems small in comparison to the colossus that is Muhammad Ali. He is, quite simply, the greatest. In the ancient world, Rome was an imperial colossus. Few nations could rival its strength, size, or colossal growth.

Example Sentences

The still-suing states say Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s 2010 merger formed an entertainment colossus that illegally dominates the market for major concerts, harming artists, fans and venues.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

After spending two decades molding Disney into a media colossus, Iger segued into a senior advisory role, which will run through December when he officially retires.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

France head coach Fabien Galthie hailed colossus lock Emmanuel Meafou after his man-of-the-match performance in Sunday's 33-8 Six Nations victory over Italy.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

Instead, it points to a quieter colossus: households.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

The Nobel Prize is merely a new version of Charleton’s colossus.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton