1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from other animals
b
: an animal that is not 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
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
Its language is a beast to learn.
—
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
This is a beast that’s more fun than furious, who clearly and swiftly regrets his violent outbursts.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
But Everest, first scaled in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was a far more formidable and dangerous beast.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The shark is still crazy destructive – even taking on a helicopter – but what's neat here is the return of Roy Scheider as the police chief who's voted out when the powers-that-be don't believe another beast is in the water, but who saves the day anyway.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beast
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Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
This is a beast that’s more fun than furious, who clearly and swiftly regrets his violent outbursts.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
But Everest, first scaled in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was a far more formidable and dangerous beast.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The shark is still crazy destructive – even taking on a helicopter – but what's neat here is the return of Roy Scheider as the police chief who's voted out when the powers-that-be don't believe another beast is in the water, but who saves the day anyway.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for beast
Cite this Entry
“Beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beast. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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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