beast

noun

1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being, a lower vertebrate, and an invertebrate
b
: a lower animal as distinguished from a human being
c
: an animal as distinguished from a plant
d
: an animal under human control
2
: a contemptible person
3
: something formidably difficult to control or deal with

Examples of beast in a Sentence

dogs and other four-footed beasts the birds and beasts of the forest They were attacked by a savage beast. He's a cruel, hateful beast!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of the beasts may have developed frightening mutations. Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025 But the palazzo's aesthetic centerpiece is Bar della Musa, which is lined with polished silver tiles that shimmer like the scales of a mythic beast. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025 The 4×4 better known as the Rambo Lambo—Sylvester Stallone was a fan of the vehicle during the peak of his movie stardom—was a burly beast that predates Lamborghini’s popular Urus SUV by nearly a quarter-century. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025 This beast looks like a young girl (surely not a coincidence, symbolically speaking), with antler-like protrusions. Noel Murray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beast

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beste, from Anglo-French, from Latin bestia

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of beast was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Beast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beast. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

beast

noun
1
a
: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from human beings and from lower animals both with and without backbones
b
: a farm animal especially when kept for heavy work
2
: a mean or brutal person

More from Merriam-Webster on beast

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