monolithic

adjective

mono·​lith·​ic ˌmä-nə-ˈli-thik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling a monolith : huge, massive

a large monolithic building

an influential monolithic organization

b(1)

: formed from a single crystal

a monolithic silicon chip

(2)

: produced in or on a monolithic chip (see chip entry 1 sense 6b)

a monolithic circuit

2

a

: cast as a single piece

a monolithic concrete wall

b

: formed or composed of material without joints or seams

a monolithic floor covering

c

: consisting of or constituting a single unit

3

a

: constituting a massive undifferentiated and often rigid whole

a monolithic society

b

: exhibiting or characterized by often rigidly fixed uniformity

monolithic party unity

monolithically

ˌmä-nə-ˈli-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of monolithic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The educational needs of today’s children are simply too diverse for one single monolithic educational model to work. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026

The Venezuelan opposition, Rubio said, is not monolithic but includes former regime sympathizers who broke with the movement, as well as longtime opponents such as Machado. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

The monolithic centerpiece took six months to build and features museum symbols such as a mini light-up version of the neon Texas flag and a longhorn plushy with a balloon, a tip of the horn to the original Texas Folklife Festival logo from when the institute hosted the event. —René Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Jan. 2026

Both renditions were superb, though small divergences between them showed that Feldman’s seemingly monolithic style leaves room for individual approaches. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see monolith

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for monolithic

• chalcolithic
• megalithic
• mesolithic
• neolithic
• lithic
• mythic
• paleolithic