leviathan

Etymology

From Hebrew (Biblical and Modern) לִוְיָתָן‎ (“leviathan; whale”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: lə-vī'ə-thən, IPA^(key): /lə.ˈvaɪ.ə.θən/
• Rhymes: -aɪəθən

Adjective

leviathan (not comparable)

1. Very large; gargantuan.

Noun

leviathan (plural leviathans)

1. (biblical) A vast sea monster of tremendous strength, described as the most powerful and dangerous creature in the ocean.
   • 1611, Bible (King James Version), Job 41:1:

     Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

2. Something large; behemoth.

   That man was a leviathan! He took up a whole row of seats at the theatre.

See also

• enormous
• giant
• ginormous