Monolith   (pronounced monl-ith) noun


Definition

1. a large single block of stone, as in architecture or sculpture (usually in the form of an obelisk, column, monument, or large statue).  2. a massive building or other structure, often one with little character or personality.   3. something suggestive of a monolith, as in uniformity, largeness, inflexibility and firmness, power and influence, etc.


Other Forms

Monolithic   (pronounced monl-ith-ik) adjective

Main Example

  • Hardly a week goes by without some ill tidings from one of the giant air carriers such as United, American, or Delta. But the airline industry is far from being a monolith: Southwest Airlines and relative newcomer Jet Blue are doing well financially and are even expanding into new markets.

    Workplace Examples

  • Given all these unforeseen problems, we'd have long abandoned our original goals had it not been for Brian. He is a monolith--standing firm, unyielding, squashing all thoughts of lowering our sights.

  • When people say things like "Oh, the stock market is doing well," they seem to imply that the market is monolithic. In actuality, some industry groups may do very poorly even on a day when the overall index is up sharply!

    Other Examples

  • your remarking: "We keep saying the Republicans are only interested in this, or the Democrats only want that, as if the two parties were ideological monoliths. Not so! Just talk to half a dozen leaders from either party and you'll get as many different opinions on any hot button issue."

  • because of its enormous scope and sweep, the diabetes research study published in 2001 standing out as a monolith in comparison with other studies on the subject

  • a large, decentralized company whose units enjoy much latitude in choice of management style and operating procedure compared to a company whose functioning is monolithic, with all employees conforming to one set of rules and regulations

  • Japanese society, relatively monolithic in comparison to the racially and ethnically diverse U.S.

  • U.S.'s new enemy, the al Qaeda, which operates as a bunch of loosely connected, faceless, and independent cells that have no known addresses and are spread out globally, being diametrically opposite in character to our Cold War foe, the Soviet monolith

    © 2003 V.J. Singal

    This Month's Other Words

    Evanescent
    Prevaricate
    Arcane and Arcana
    Protestation
    Egomaniacal
    Penchant
    Intractable

    Now available on CD-ROM: Past editions of Words of the Month. Click here for more information.
    The Articulate Professional (1995 revised edition) also available. Click here for more information.

    Now get the CD-ROM and the book for only $27. Click here to order.
    *Price includes shipping in US/Canada.