Babel

noun

Ba·​bel ˈbā-bəl  ˈba- 

1

: a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues

2

or babel

a

: a confusion of sounds or voices

b

: a scene of noise or confusion

Synonyms

• bedlam
• circus
• madhouse
• scrum [British]
• three-ring circus

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Hebrew Bābhel, from Akkadian bāb-ilu gate of god

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Babel

• Tower of Babel

• Tower of Babel

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Kids Definition

babel

noun

ba·​bel

ˈbā-bəl,

ˈbab-əl

often capitalized

1

: a confusion of sounds or voices

2

: a scene of noise or confusion

Etymology

from the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4–9, the building of which was interrupted by a confusion of languages