monolith

[ mon-uh-lith ]

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.

monolith

/ 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

Other Words From

• mono·lithism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monolith¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of monolith¹

C19: via French from Greek monolithos made from a single stone

Example Sentences

Like the steady drip-drip-drip of water on stone, which over millenniums reduces a monolith to sand, human contact will have its way.

From Los Angeles Times

“In California, we’re not a monolith and we’re not all in sync on this issue,” Romero said.

From Los Angeles Times

Department of Veterans Affairs’ West Los Angeles campus, is a century-old, two-story monolith composed of three wings adorned in intricate Art Deco detail.

From Los Angeles Times

No city, performer, or theme park, is a monolith.

From Los Angeles Times

An Irish language group, An Dream Dearg, has criticised the move saying English and Irish dual-language signage has been excluded in what they called a "new multi-million monolingual monolith".

From BBC