momentous
adjective
mo·men·tous
mō-ˈmen-təs 
mə-
: having great or lasting importance : consequential, significant
a momentous decision
a momentous event/occasion
The Senate begins a momentous debate on health care today …—
The New York Times
The New York TimesDeydey usually talked about his travels, the places he'd seen and the people, the close calls and momentous encounters with animals, weather, other Anishinabeg, and best of all, ghosts.—Louise Erdrich
Louise ErdrichThe late nineteenth century was strewn with inventions. Many were momentous, but few affected men and women more closely than the bicycle and its motorized offspring: motorcycle, motor-car and aeroplane.—Eugen Weber
Eugen Weber
momentously
adverb
a momentously important decision
… a … twist that is executed differently from the comic book story, but is just as dramatically and momentously presented.
—The Philippines Daily Inquirer
The Philippines Daily Inquirer
momentousness
noun
But other East Europeans had little time to marvel at the momentousness of the moment. Just one day after the fall of the [Berlin] Wall, Bulgaria's dour leader of 35 years, Todor Zhivkov, was ousted.
—Stephen E. Deane
Stephen E. Deane
Synonyms
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
As the panelists jockeyed to explain the momentous development in this cavernous studio that was quiet as all hell, the scene had the feel of a strange stage play.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
On Tuesday, Florida residents face a momentous decision —whether to vote yes or no on Amendment 4.
—Allison Mashell Mitchell / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
The Weeknd publicly joined the hordes of music lovers mourning the momentous loss of Quincy Jones.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
One of the closest, most surprising and momentous presidential elections in recent memory has broadcast and cable networks preparing for the unexpected for its finale: election night.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
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Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
On Tuesday, Florida residents face a momentous decision —whether to vote yes or no on Amendment 4.
—Allison Mashell Mitchell / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
The Weeknd publicly joined the hordes of music lovers mourning the momentous loss of Quincy Jones.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024
One of the closest, most surprising and momentous presidential elections in recent memory has broadcast and cable networks preparing for the unexpected for its finale: election night.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for momentous
Dictionary Entries Near momentous
Cite this Entry
“Momentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/momentous. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
momentous
adjective
mo·men·tous
mō-ˈment-əs
: very important
a momentous decision
momentously
adverb
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