1 momentous | Definition of momentous

momentous

adjective
mo·​men·​tous | \ mō-ˈmen-təs How to pronounce momentous (audio) , mə-\

Definition of momentous

: important, consequential a momentous decision a momentous event

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Other Words from momentous

momentously adverb
momentousness noun

Examples of momentous in a Sentence

My college graduation was a momentous day in my life. a momentous occasion that will go down in the history books

Recent Examples on the Web

Forty years after that momentous speech, America is undergoing a similar crisis of confidence with its foreign policy and defense establishment. Donald C. Bolduc, Time, "I Served 10 Tours in Afghanistan. It’s Time for Us to Leave," 30 Aug. 2019 Wednesday marked 56 years since the late civil rights leader spoke his momentous words at the March on Washington. Tanya A. Christian, Essence, "Ted Cruz Tried To Capitalize On Anniversary Of ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech And Twitter Was Not Here For It," 30 Aug. 2019 Some have accused Johnson of dragging the queen into the crisis by asking her to prorogue Parliament at this momentous time in the nation's history. Karla Adam, Anchorage Daily News, "Allies of British prime minister resign amid outrage over Parliament suspension," 29 Aug. 2019 Trump’s myriad tweets, like his news conferences, are a mash-up of the momentous and the minuscule, a digital record of whatever is occupying his thoughts — and drawing his ire — from moment to moment. Eli Stokols, Los Angeles Times, "Bugged and storming: Trump lashes out about bedbugs and nuking hurricanes," 27 Aug. 2019 The unit’s members feel like commandos who have been given a momentous mission (taking Britain through Brexit) and have survived a hazing by a tough sergeant (Dominic Cummings). The Economist, "The Downing Street Policy Unit, Boris Johnson’s brain," 22 Aug. 2019 Napoleon’s banishment the year before had been achieved after years of momentous and costly battles on land and at sea. National Geographic, "Napoleon lost the Battle of Waterloo—here’s what went wrong," 15 Aug. 2019 All tickets for the home clash with Sao Jose will be free as the club look to draw in spectators for what promises to be a momentous occasion in their history. SI.com, "Corinthians Women Equal World Record for Number of Consecutive Top Flight Wins," 19 Aug. 2019 The cast of Downton Abbey is headed to the big screen, and one lucky fan and a guest are going to be able to celebrate this momentous occasion in a huge way. Rosy Cordero, EW.com, "Enter for a chance to attend the Downton Abbey movie premiere in NYC," 13 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'momentous.' 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 momentous

1656, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for momentous

momentous

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of momentous

: very important : having great or lasting importance

momentous

adjective
mo·​men·​tous | \ mō-ˈmen-təs How to pronounce momentous (audio) \

Kids Definition of momentous

: very important a momentous decision

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