labyrinth

noun

lab·​y·​rinth ˈla-bə-ˌrin(t)th 

-rən(t)th

1

a

: a place constructed of or full of intricate passageways and dead ends

a complex labyrinth of tunnels and chambers

b

: a maze (as in a garden) formed by paths separated by high hedges

2

: something extremely complex or tortuous (see tortuous sense 1) in structure, arrangement, or character : intricacy, perplexity

a labyrinth of swamps and channels

guided them through the labyrinths of city life

—Paul Blanshard

3

: a tortuous anatomical structure

especially : the internal ear or its bony or membranous part

Did you know?

Is there a difference between maze and labyrinth?

Is there a difference between the words maze and labyrinth? Not so much; both words are used in reference to confusing networks of passages or channels, or for a thing that is complicated or confusingly elaborate. However, in origin the two words are quite different. Maze is presumed to come from an unrecorded Old English word masian (“to confuse”), whereas labyrinth has a more classical pedigree.

Ancient Greek legends tell of King Minos of Crete, who had the inventor Daedalus create a labyrinth beneath his palace in which was housed the Minotaur, a fearsome monster with the head of a bull and body of a man. The Minotaur was said to have been slain by the Greek hero Theseus, who then managed to find his way out of the labyrinth with the aid of a ball of thread that had been given to him by Ariadne, the daughter of Minos.

Synonyms of labyrinth

• maze

Examples of labyrinth in a Sentence

a complex labyrinth of tunnels and chambers

The cockpit was a labyrinth of instruments and controls.

a labyrinth of social customs and rules

Recent Examples on the Web

Hiding in a labyrinth of gardens and more than 50 art installations, private bungalows and three-bedroom villas with freshwater pools overlook Crete’s curving, mountainous coastline. —Yulia Denisyuk, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026

While navigating the labyrinth with the help of Hoggle (Shari Weiser, voiced by Brian Henson), Sarah encounters one fantastical character after another, including The Worm (voiced by Timothy Bateson) and The Junk Lady (voiced by Denise Bryer). —David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026

The parcels snake through a labyrinth of belts before being loaded on aircraft and shipped to their next destination. —John Beifuss, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

American Gothic Antiques is the best place to step back in time, with a labyrinth of connected rooms showcasing vintage glassware, books, toys, and artwork. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English laborintus, from Latin labyrinthus, from Greek labyrinthos

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing labyrinth

• membranous labyrinth

Rhymes for labyrinth

• hyacinth
• plinth
• synth

Kids Definition

labyrinth

noun

lab·​y·​rinth ˈlab-ə-ˌrin(t)th 

1

: a place full of passageways and blind alleys so arranged as to make it difficult to find one's way around : maze

2

: something extremely complicated or twisting

the cockpit was a labyrinth of instruments and controls

3

: the internal ear or its bony or membranous part

labyrinthine

ˌlab-ə-ˈrin(t)-thən

adjective

Medical Definition

labyrinth

noun

lab·​y·​rinth ˈlab-ə-ˌrin(t)th, -rən(t)th 

: a tortuous anatomical structure

especially : the inner ear or its bony or membranous part see bony labyrinth, membranous labyrinth