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.
Fourteen of these monumental disasters hit the U.S. last summer that cost the U.S. $41 billion and killed 108 people. Jeremy Ney, Time, 21 May 2025 On the market for $10.95 million (or about $14.7 million), the monumental manse is surrounded by the city’s verdant urban landscape that has inspired poets and authors like C. S. Lewis and John Keats for centuries. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 May 2025 While moving up a single spot might not seem monumental, every forward climb counts for Doechii at this point in her career. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 Every evening, a light and digital art program metamorphoses the club, which drips in tapestries, plush gold and green tones, and monumental mosaics of mythological creatures. Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 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 25 May. 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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