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beast

noun
\ ˈbēst How to pronounce beast (audio) \

Definition of beast

1a : a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate
b : a lower animal as distinguished from a human being
c : an animal as distinguished from a plant
d : an animal under human control
2 : a contemptible person
3 : something formidably difficult to control or deal with
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about beast

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Examples of beast in a Sentence

dogs and other four-footed beasts the birds and beasts of the forest They were attacked by a savage beast. He's a cruel, hateful beast!
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Recent Examples on the Web

 In last year’s Note 9, the 4,000 mAh battery was a beast, lasting 12 hours in my grueling test. — Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Denver Post, "Galaxy Note 10 hands on: What Samsung’s $950 big new phone adds — and takes away," 21 Aug. 2019 Romero is a beast, a true martial artist, very tough. — Manouk Akopyan, Los Angeles Times, "UFC 241: Stipe Miocic knocks out Daniel Cormier to regain heavyweight belt," 17 Aug. 2019 Antares, a red giant star just to the lower right of Jupiter, is the brightest star in Scorpius and marks the heart of the beast. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, "Sky Watch: There are many delights to be found in August’s evening skies," 4 Aug. 2019 Crater Rim Drive hugs the edge of Kilauea Caldera and leads to viewpoints where visitors can gaze into the belly of the beast and inhale its pungent sulfur scent. — National Geographic, "Everything to know about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park," 15 July 2019 In comparison, the Inspiron 13 7000 Black Edition is a different kind of beast. — Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, "Dell Inspiron 13 7000 review: Premium and practical all in one," 6 July 2019 Most Tank America visitors receive a 45-minute safety briefing before entering the belly of the beast. — Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Tank America in Melbourne offers a 17-ton tank-driving adventure," 3 July 2019 But movies are a different beast, with strengths and weaknesses often antithetical to literature. — Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "When movies take a novel approach," 15 Aug. 2019 However, fantasy football is an entirely different beast. — Dr. Roto, SI.com, "Fantasy Football: Big-Name Veterans No Longer Worth Drafting," 14 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of beast

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for beast

Middle English beste, from Anglo-French, from Latin bestia

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More Definitions for beast

beast

noun
How to pronounce beast (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of beast

old-fashioned : an animal especially : a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual
old-fashioned : an unkind or cruel person
informal : a person or thing of a particular kind

See the full definition for beast in the English Language Learners Dictionary

beast

noun
\ ˈbēst How to pronounce beast (audio) \

Kids Definition of beast

1 : a mammal with four feet (as a bear or deer) especially as distinguished from human beings beasts of the forest
2 : a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual
3 : a farm animal especially when kept for work beasts of burden
4 : a horrid person

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More from Merriam-Webster on beast

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with beast

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for beast

Spanish Central: Translation of beast

Nglish: Translation of beast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of beast for Arabic Speakers

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