monumental

adjective

mon·​u·​men·​tal ˌmän-yə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce monumental (audio)
1
: serving as or resembling a monument : massive
monumental sculptures
also : highly significant : outstanding
a monumental painting that stunned the American public
2
: of or relating to a monument
modern monumental architecture
3
: very great
a monumental misunderstanding
monumentality noun
monumentally adverb

Examples of monumental in a Sentence

It's more than a mistake; it's a case of monumental stupidity. the monumental complexity of the issue Repairing the damage will be a monumental task. The class was about modern monumental architecture.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Search for victims and monumental cleanup With more rain on the way, the risk of life-threatening flooding was still high in central Texas on Monday even as crews searched urgently for the missing. CBS News, 7 July 2025 Topics of monumental importance, like celestial way finding, voyaging, navigation, and Indigenous science. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025 These are monumental achievements, inconceivable in the past, that will allow the state to navigate the swings and roundabouts a deluded Congress imposes on us. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2025 Kelly's office said damages will be monumental to both public infrastructure and private properties, with estimates impossible to determine until floodwaters recede. Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 5 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for monumental

Word History

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of monumental was in 1596

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Cite this Entry

“Monumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monumental. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

monumental

adjective
mon·​u·​men·​tal ˌmän-yə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce monumental (audio)
1
: of or relating to a monument
2
: serving as or resembling a monument : massive
also : highly significant : outstanding
3
: very great
monumental stupidity
monumentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on monumental

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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