monolithic

play

adjective mono·lith·ic \ˌmä-nə-ˈli-thik\

Definition of monolithic

1a : of, relating to, or resembling a monolith : huge, massive a large monolithic building an influential monolithic organizationb (1) : formed from a single crystal a monolithic silicon chip (2) : produced in or on a monolithic chip (see ¹chip 6b) a monolithic circuit
2a : cast as a single piece a monolithic concrete wallb : formed or composed of material without joints or seams a monolithic floor coveringc : consisting of or constituting a single unit
3a : constituting a massive undifferentiated and often rigid whole a monolithic societyb : exhibiting or characterized by often rigidly fixed uniformity monolithic party unity

monolithically

play \-thi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Recent Examples of monolithic from the Web

The exhibition really speaks to the fact that blackness is not monolithic, that there’s these diverse narratives of black people.

— errin haines whack, The Seattle Times, "Q&A with author of ‘Dandy Lion,’ which stylishly rejects black male stereotypes", 4 June 2017
The reaction from African-American artists was not monolithic.

— hilarie m. sheets, New York Times, "Emmett Till’s Coffin, a Hangman’s Scaffold and a Debate Over Cultural Appropriation", 31 May 2017
The major surge of new senior living communities restricted to people aged 55 and older in Charlotte isn’t monolithic.

— ely portillo, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte’s senior housing market is booming. Here are three key trends", 30 May 2017
A decade later a tornado damaged the roof of the 1952 warehouse but the monolithic Roundhouse continues to stand high and dry, a fitting legacy to the role of rail transportation in Birmingham’s once prosperous iron and steel industry.

— AL.com, "Alabama history fading away at these five vital sites", 28 May 2017
That’s the discussion that gets left out when people look at supply as monolithic.

— david dobbs, WIRED, "Is publishing really doomed by oversupply of writing?", 18 Dec. 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monolithic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.