DictionaryAI

leviathan

USluh-VY-uh-thuhn/ləˈvaɪəθ(ə)n/UKli-VY-uh-thuhn/lɪˈvaɪəθn̩/

Pluralleviathans

5 meanings of leviathan

Practice

  1. 1
    something hugenounfigurativelycountable
    Something huge and very powerful, especially a big ship, or a very rich and powerful person.

    The oil tanker was a leviathan that needed miles of sea to stop.

    Her grandfather was a leviathan of the steel business and owned half the town.

    Similarbehemoth, colossus, titan, mammoth

    Note
  2. 2
    sea monsternouncountable
    A huge, very strong sea monster, real or imagined, said to be the most dangerous creature in the sea.

    In the old story, the sailors were afraid that a leviathan lived under the waves.

    The picture book shows a leviathan wrapping itself around a little boat.

    Note
  3. 3
    very largeadjective
    Extremely big.

    The kids built a leviathan sandcastle that took up half the beach.

    He ordered a leviathan sandwich and could not finish it.

    Similargiant, massive, immense, great, jumbo

    Oppositetiny, small, minuscule

    Note
  4. 4
    powerful statenounfigurativelycountable
    The state as a huge power over people, especially a government that controls too much.

    Some people fear the government is turning into a leviathan that watches everything they do.

    The protesters said the Leviathan had grown too big for anyone to control.

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    the devilnounobsoletefiguratively
    Another name for Satan, the most evil spirit, who tempts people to do wrong.

    The preacher said Leviathan tempts people to lie and steal.

    They prayed to be kept safe from Leviathan and his tricks.

    SimilarSatan

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From a Hebrew word in the Bible, perhaps meaning "the twisting one". Thomas Hobbes later used it to mean a powerful state.