Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
there was no escaping the juggernaut of hype for the studio's biggest summer blockbuster
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'juggernaut.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the early 14th century, Franciscan missionary Friar Odoric brought to Europe the story of an enormous carriage that carried an image of the Hindu god Vishnu (whose title was Jagannath, literally, "lord of the world") through the streets of India in religious processions. Odoric reported that some worshippers deliberately allowed themselves to be crushed beneath the vehicle's wheels as a sacrifice to Vishnu. That story was probably an exaggeration or misinterpretation of actual events, but it spread throughout Europe anyway. The tale caught the imagination of English listeners, and by the 19th century, they were using juggernaut to refer to any massive vehicle (such as a steam locomotive) or to any other enormous entity with powerful crushing capabilities.
First Known Use: 1841
in the meaning defined at sense 2
See Words from the same year: something (such as a force, campaign, or movement) that is extremely large and powerful and cannot be stopped
: a very large, heavy truck
See words that rhyme with juggernaut Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for juggernaut Spanish Central: Translation of juggernaut Nglish: Translation of juggernaut for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about juggernaut
What made you want to look up juggernaut? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Name More Food!
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!
Take the quiz
Is that your picture under "Largest Vocabulary"?
Take the quiz
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
Take the quiz
SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!
Play the game
