apocalypse

noun

apoc·​a·​lypse ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips How to pronounce apocalypse (audio)
plural apocalypses
1
a
: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a messianic kingdom
b
capitalized : revelation sense 3
2
a
: something viewed as a prophetic revelation
3
a
: a large, disastrous fire : inferno
Most foresters agree that small, "prescribed" burns, carefully controlled, are essential to prevent the larger apocalypse.Lance Morrow
b
: a great disaster
an environmental apocalypse

Examples of apocalypse in a Sentence

His book tells of an environmental apocalypse. the fear that the next global pandemic could be an apocalypse of biblical proportions
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The film, as per the press notes, redefines human fears in the face of apocalypse in a contemporary dystopia that puts Black and Indigenous characters at the center of a story about people defending their land from those who would kill them for it without a second thought. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 3 July 2025 Ramsey currently stars as apocalypse survivor Ellie on the HBO zombie drama The Last of Us; it was renewed for Season 3 in April, days ahead of the Season 2 premiere. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 2 July 2025 After decades of zombie movies, Zombieland looked on the bright side of a zombie apocalypse. James Grebey, Time, 20 June 2025 For someone who’s been raised in the shadow of a zombie apocalypse, Spike has always lived in the absence of death. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for apocalypse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Apocalipse "Revelation (the New Testament book)," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin apocalypsis "revelation, the Book of Revelation," borrowed from Greek apokálypsis "uncovering, disclosure, revelation," from apokalyp-, stem of apokalýptein "to uncover, disclose, reveal" (from apo- apo- + kalýptein "to cover, protect, conceal," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis

Note: Greek kalýptein is associated in older handbooks with Indo-European *ḱel- "conceal" (see conceal), though neither the vocalism nor the supposed extension *-up- are easily explicable.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocalypse was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Apocalypse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalypse. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

apocalypse

1 of 2 noun
apoc·​a·​lypse
ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips
1
: something thought of as a prophetic revelation
2
a
: the place or time of the final battle between good and evil
b
: a decisive battle
3
: a great disaster
apocalyptic
ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik
adjective

Apocalypse

2 of 2 noun
: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 by an author writing under a pseudonym that is marked by symbolic imagery and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a heavenly kingdom see bible

More from Merriam-Webster on apocalypse

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