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
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
Best Prime Day Dyson Ball Vacuum Cleaner Deals Featuring the most powerful suction of any Dyson vacuum and a whopping eight different attachment tools, the Animal Total Clean is a serious cleaning beast.
—
PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Mammoths were not the only enormous beasts ancient humans hunted.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025
Rundell will turn the first two books set in the fictional world of the Glimouria Archipelago filled with magical beasts into movie screenplays under the Disney Live Action banner.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The obvious reason why a filmmaker as seemingly respected as PTA can go winless in 11 cracks at the Academy Award is that every Oscar year, and every Oscar category therein, is its own unique beast, each subject to its own campaign-season quirks and voting-body hangups.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beast
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PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
Mammoths were not the only enormous beasts ancient humans hunted.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025
Rundell will turn the first two books set in the fictional world of the Glimouria Archipelago filled with magical beasts into movie screenplays under the Disney Live Action banner.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The obvious reason why a filmmaker as seemingly respected as PTA can go winless in 11 cracks at the Academy Award is that every Oscar year, and every Oscar category therein, is its own unique beast, each subject to its own campaign-season quirks and voting-body hangups.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beast
Cite this Entry
“Beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beast. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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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