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monumental

adj.
US //ˌmɑnjəˈmɛnəɫ// UK //mˌɒnjuːmˈɛntəl// mon·u·men·tal
  1. 1 large and impressive (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very large, grand, and impressive to look at.

    characterised by imposing size, grandeur, or scale.

    Example

    The city is famous for its monumental stone arches and wide streets.

    Example

    The architect's vision was realised in a monumental structure that dominated the skyline, blending classical proportions with modern materials.
  2. 2 historically significant (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    having great and lasting importance.

    of outstanding significance or historical importance.

    Example

    The discovery of the new vaccine was a monumental moment in medicine.

    Example

    The signing of the peace treaty was a monumental achievement that ended decades of systemic conflict in the region.
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  1. 3 requiring great effort (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    taking a huge amount of time, work, and effort to finish.

    requiring or showing an immense expenditure of effort and persistence.

    Example

    Writing the three-volume history book was a monumental task.

    Example

    Compiling the national archive proved to be a monumental undertaking that required the coordination of hundreds of researchers over a decade.
  2. 4 relating to monuments (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Archaeology

    connected to or serving as a monument.

    pertaining to, or serving as, a monument or memorial.

    Example

    The museum has a collection of monumental inscriptions from ancient Rome.

    Example

    The site is notable for its monumental brasses, which provide detailed genealogical information about the local nobility of the fourteenth century.
Origin

Borrowed from Late Latin monumentālis, from Latin monumentum; equivalent to monument + -al.

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