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

Beyond The Hype: Deconstructing AI's True Nature Forget the simplistic narratives; AI isn't a monolithic entity. —William Decourcy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Windows 11 has followed this pattern, and Windows 12 will certainly not be a static, monolithic entity. —Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 June 2025

In previous generations, American Catholics weren’t quite monolithic, but Catholicism did represent a commonality among immigrant groups. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 9 May 2025

This helps explain why fault tolerance is such a large and complex endeavor, and why monolithic processors were not enough. —Paul Smith-Goodson, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

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