What does "behemoth" mean?
A great and mighty beast which God shows to Job in Job 40:15–24.
Behemoth
/bəˈhi(ː).məθ/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A great and mighty beast which God shows to Job in Job 40:15–24.
- Grammar: behemoth is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: colossus, giant, monster, bears.
- Useful contrasts: dwarf, miniature, small business.
- Usage evidence: Algeria is a colossal behemoth to be reckoned with in the Mediterranean region.
How to use "behemoth"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "behemoth" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "behemoth" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "behemoth" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "behemoth" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "behemoth" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "colossus" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "behemoth", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A great and mighty beast which God shows to Job in Job 40:15–24.
"⸿ Beholde now Behemoth which I made with thee, hee eateth graſſe as an oxe. Loe now, his ſtrength is in his loynes, and his force is in the nauell of his belly. Hee moueth his taile like a Cedar: the ſinewes of his ſtones are wrapt together. His bones are as ſtrong pieces of braſſe: his bones are like barres of iron."
- 2 a person of exceptional importance and reputation wordnet
- 3 Any great and mighty monster. broadly
"Next she doused the smouldering troll with the contents of the restaurant's fire extinguisher, hoping the icy powder wouldn't revive the sleeping behemoth."
- 4 someone that is abnormally large and powerful wordnet
- 5 Something which has the qualities of great power and might, and monstrous proportions. figuratively
"The diehards who did turn out were at least rewarded with a first sight of Jon Parkin, the behemoth striker signed from Preston, who scored a stunning goal on his debut at Norwich last weekend."
Example
"Algeria is a colossal behemoth to be reckoned with in the Mediterranean region."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "behemoth"?
Common synonyms include: colossus, giant, monster, bears, beast, biggie.
How do you use "behemoth" in a sentence?
Algeria is a colossal behemoth to be reckoned with in the Mediterranean region.
How do you pronounce "behemoth"?
Pronounced /bəˈhi(ː).məθ/.
Etymology
From Middle English behemoth, bemoth, from Late Latin behemoth, from Hebrew בְּהֵמוֹת (behemót). Most likely, the Hebrew word is an intensive plural of בְּהֵמָה (behemá, “beast”), from Proto-Semitic (compare Ge'ez ብህመ (bəhmä, “to be dumb, to be speechless”), Arabic ب ه م (b h m)). Some have instead suggested a borrowing from a hypothetical Egyptian pA-i-H-E1-mw (*pꜣ-jḥ-mw, “hippopotamus”, literally “the ox of the water”), from pꜣ (“definite article”) + jḥ (“ox, cattle”) + mw (“water”) in a direct genitive construction (for the pronunciation, compare the later Coptic descendants ⲡ- (p-) + ⲉϩⲉ (ehe) + ⲙⲟⲟⲩ (moou)); this, however, suffers from problems such as the lack of attestation of the supposed etymon, and there seems little reason to prefer it to the intensive plural explanation.