1 babel | Definition of babel

Babel

noun
Ba·​bel | \ ˈbā-bəl How to pronounce Babel (audio) , ˈba- How to pronounce Babel (audio) \

Definition of Babel

1 : a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues

2 or babel

a : a confusion of sounds or voices
b : a scene of noise or confusion

First Known Use of Babel

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for Babel

Middle English, from Hebrew Bābhel, from Akkadian bāb-ilu gate of god

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More from Merriam-Webster on Babel

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with Babel

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for Babel

Spanish Central: Translation of Babel

Nglish: Translation of Babel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of Babel for Arabic Speakers