Added 5 October 2026 · word of the day, 5 October 2026
juggernaut
/ˈd͡ʒʌɡ.ə.nɔːt/ noun
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about juggernaut at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A literal or metaphorical force or object regarded as unstoppable, that will crush all in its path.
- A large, cumbersome truck or lorry, especially an articulated lorry.
- An institution that incites destructive devotion or to which people are carelessly sacrificed.
Origin
Borrowed in the 17th century into British English in India, either through Hindustani جَگَنَّاتھ (jagannāth) / जगन्नाथ (jagannāth) or directly from Odia ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ (jagannātha), ultimately from Sanskrit ज॒ग॒न्ना॒थ (jagannāthá, “lord of universe”) (Jagannatha), a title for the Hindu deity Vishnu's avatar Krishna. The sense comes from witnessing the Rath Yatra (chariot parade) at Puri, Odisha, a huge annual procession which features a wagon of the idol of Jagannath; pulled with ropes by hundreds of devotees, the wagon develops considerable momentum and becomes unstoppable.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)