gigantism

noun

gi·​gan·​tism jī-ˈgan-ˌti-zəm 

jə-;

ˈjī-gən- 

1

: giantism sense 1

2

: development to abnormally large size

3

: excessive vegetative growth often accompanied by the inhibiting of reproduction

Synonyms

• enormity
• enormousness
• giantism
• hugeness
• immenseness
• immensity
• magnitude
• massiveness
• prodigiousness
• vastitude
• vastness

Examples of gigantism in a Sentence

the gigantism that is this newest ocean liner is impossible to describe

Recent Examples on the Web

This dramatic transformation is among the most extreme cases of island gigantism in birds, likely unfolding in under two million years as the eagle adapted to New Zealand’s ecosystem. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

The outlet added that he was diagnosed with gigantism, a medical condition that involves the overproduction of growth hormone. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Its role as an apex predator points to a complex food chain where the availability of large prey could have driven the evolution of gigantism in marine snakes. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

Surviving here isn’t easy, and finding a mate can be next to impossible—an isolation that has driven unique adaptations like deep-sea gigantism, slow metabolism and extraordinary reproductive strategies. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

gigantism

noun

gi·​gan·​tism jī-ˈgan-ˌtiz-əm  jə-; ˈjī-gən- 

: development to abnormally large size from excessive growth of the long bones accompanied by muscular weakness and sexual impotence and usually caused by hyperpituitarism before normal ossification is complete

called also macrosomia

compare acromegaly