Babel

noun

Ba·​bel ˈbā-bəl How to pronounce Babel (audio) ˈba- How to pronounce Babel (audio)
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

Synonyms

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Examples of Babel in a Sentence

on opening day the area's newest big-box store was an incredible babel the babel of wheeling and dealing that can be heard at the stock exchange every day

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Babel was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing Babel

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near Babel

babe in the woods

Babel

babelicious

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Cite this Entry

“Babel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Babel. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

babel

noun
ba·​bel
ˈbā-bəl,
ˈbab-əl
often capitalized
1
: a confusion of sounds or voices
2
: a scene of noise or confusion
Etymology

from the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4–9, the building of which was interrupted by a confusion of languages

More from Merriam-Webster on Babel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Babel

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