Goliath

American  

[guh-lahy-uhth] / gəˈlaɪ əθ /

noun

1. (in the Bible) the giant warrior of the Philistines whom David killed with a stone from a sling.

2. Usually goliath a giant.

3. Usually goliath a very large, powerful, or influential person or thing.

   a neighborhood grocery competing against the supermarket goliaths.

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Goliath British  

/ ɡəˈlaɪəθ /

noun

1. Old Testament a Philistine giant from Gath who terrorized the Hebrews until he was killed by David with a stone from his sling (I Samuel 17)

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Etymology

Origin of Goliath

Ultimately from Hebrew Gōlyāth, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

"It feels a bit David and Goliath, now it seems there is maybe a chance," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

A group of villagers who fought to overturn a council's crackdown on second home-ownership say they are "proud" of their "David and Goliath moment".

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Yet on the other side, that was still a heavyweight, a Goliath in red.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Apple’s purchasing power and expertise in designing advanced electronics long made it an unrivaled Goliath among the Asian companies that make most of the iPhone’s parts and assemble the device.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

I’d imagine myself a Goliath on the soccer pitch, with legs like rocket launchers.

From "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba