monolith
MON-uh-lith
/ˈmɒnəlɪθ/
A large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument.
While often used for man-made stones like those at Stonehenge, it can also refer to natural features like Uluru (Ayers Rock).
The story behind the word. The word is a direct translation of its Greek roots: 'monos' meaning 'one' and 'lithos' meaning 'stone'. It was popularized in modern culture by the mysterious black monolith in the film '2001: A Space Odyssey'.
Word relationships
- megalith: A megalith is specifically a large stone used in prehistoric architecture; a monolith is any single large stone.
- menhir: A menhir is a specific type of prehistoric standing stone, usually a single monolith.
- fragment: A fragment is a small piece broken off from a whole, while a monolith is a single, massive whole.
Commonly confused with
- monument: A monument can be made of many parts; a monolith must be a single stone.
Word family
- monolithic (adjective): Formed of a single block of stone; massive and uniform.
Collocations
- stone monolith
- ancient monolith
- monolithic structure
Example sentences
- "The ancient civilization moved the massive monolith miles across the desert without the use of wheels." Describing ancient monuments.
- "The tech giant has become a corporate monolith, stifling competition in the industry." Metaphorical use for a large organization.
Memory hook
'Mono' means one (like a monorail). 'Lith' means stone (like lithography). Monolith = One Stone. Mono (One) + Lith (Stone).
When not to use
Do not use 'monolith' for a structure made of many smaller stones or bricks.
Fun facts
- The largest natural monolith in the world is often debated, but Mount Augustus in Australia is twice the size of Uluru.
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