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Goliath: meaning, definitions and examples

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goliath

 

[ ɡəˈlaɪəθ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

giant, biblical

Goliath is a figure from the Bible, described as a giant Philistine warrior defeated by the young David in the story of David and Goliath. The term has come to symbolize a formidable opponent.

Synonyms

behemoth, colossus, giant

Examples of usage

  • David faced Goliath in battle.
  • The company's new product is a Goliath in the tech industry.
  • In the competition, she was seen as the Goliath against her smaller rivals.

Etymology

The name Goliath originates from the Hebrew name גּוֹלְיָת (Golyath), which means 'to soak' or 'to be swallowed up'. Goliath's story is found in the biblical account in 1 Samuel 17, where he is portrayed as a champion of the Philistines, taunting the Israelites and challenging them to send out a warrior to fight him. His defeat at the hands of David, a young shepherd, is a pivotal moment in the narrative, exemplifying the theme of an underdog triumphing against overwhelming odds. The story has transcended religious texts and entered popular culture, often used metaphorically to describe situations where a smaller or weaker party faces off against a larger and more powerful adversary.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,221, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.