1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate
b
: a lower animal as distinguished from a human being
c
: an animal as distinguished from a plant
d
: an animal under human control
2
: a contemptible person
3
: something formidably difficult to control or deal with
Synonyms
Examples of beast in a Sentence
dogs and other four-footed beasts
the birds and beasts of the forest
They were attacked by a savage beast.
He's a cruel, hateful beast!
Recent Examples on the Web
Most have family throughout the region, including near where the eye of the beast made landfall.
—
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Both shield and shell are created in order to protect the tender flesh within, but a shield is the result of a huge amount of human labor, mining and refining and beating of the hot metal, and a shell is a natural emanation of the beast that builds it.
—Lauren Groff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024
But heart attacks are tricky beasts, presenting with symptoms that can differ from person to person.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024
Chupacabra The chupacabra is often described as a blood-sucking beast that preys on livestock, particularly goats.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for beast 
Tom Layberger, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Both shield and shell are created in order to protect the tender flesh within, but a shield is the result of a huge amount of human labor, mining and refining and beating of the hot metal, and a shell is a natural emanation of the beast that builds it.
—Lauren Groff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024
But heart attacks are tricky beasts, presenting with symptoms that can differ from person to person.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2024
Chupacabra The chupacabra is often described as a blood-sucking beast that preys on livestock, particularly goats.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for beast
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near beast
Cite this Entry
“Beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beast. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beast
noun1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from human beings and from lower animals both with and without backbones
b
: a farm animal especially when kept for heavy work
2
: a mean or brutal person
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