Podcast Summary

Podcast: Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day
Episode: leviathan
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the word "leviathan," exploring its linguistic roots, historical references, literary usages, and evolving meanings through time. The host, Peter Sokolowski, offers rich context and literary examples, illustrating how "leviathan" has come to represent anything of enormous size or power, from mythical sea creatures to modern corporations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Pronunciation ([00:27])

• Spelling & Part of Speech: "Leviathan, spelled L-E-V-I-A-T-H-A-N, is a noun."
• Meanings:
  • Broad: "Can refer to something very large and powerful."
  • Specific: "More narrowly, to a large sea animal or a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy."

2. Literary Example ([00:51])

• Quote from Ethan Rutherford’s novel:
  • ‘These are dim days for the Leviathan merchants. The smart whaling families have diversified… The less smart… now face a problem. The Atlantic whale that built their houses and ships has seemingly wised up.'
• Context: Illustrates "leviathan" as referencing massive sea creatures (whales) and those who hunt them.

3. Biblical and Mythological Origins ([01:21])

• Origin in Ancient Myth:
  • "Old Testament references to a huge sea monster, Leviathan, are thought to have been inspired by an ancient myth in which the God BAAL slays a multi-headed sea monster."
• Appearance in the Bible:
  • "Appears in the Book of Psalms as a sea serpent that is killed by God and then given as food to creatures in the wilderness, and it is mentioned in the Book of Job as well."
  • Notable moment: Shows the evolution from myth to biblical reference.

4. Entry into the English Language ([01:48])

• First Attested Usage:
  • “After making a splash in English in the 1300s, the word Leviathan began to be used, capitalized and uncapitalized for enormous sea creatures, both imagined and real.”
  • Cites its use “as a synonym of whale over 100 times in Herman Melville's Moby Dick.”

5. Notable Literary Quote from "Moby Dick" ([02:02])

• ‘ere the Pequod's weedy hull rolls side by side with the barnacled hulls of the Leviathan.’
• Context: Demonstrates "leviathan" as a poetic synonym for whale.

6. Modern Usage ([02:15])

• “Today, leviathan can be used for anything large and powerful, from ships to corporations.”
• Insight: The word retains its grand, imposing sense in modern language.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On definition and scope:

  • "Leviathan is a noun. It's a word with literary flair that can refer broadly to something very large and powerful, or more narrowly to a large sea animal or a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy." (Peter Sokolowski, [00:27])

• On myth and scripture:

  • "Old Testament references to a huge sea monster, Leviathan are thought to have been inspired by an ancient myth in which the God BAAL slays a multi headed sea monster." (Peter Sokolowski, [01:21])

• On literary presence:

  • “Leviathan began to be used, capitalized and uncapitalized for enormous sea creatures, both imagined and real, including as a synonym of whale over 100 times in Herman Melville's Moby Dick…” (Peter Sokolowski, [01:48])

• On modern usage:

  • “Today, leviathan can be used for anything large and powerful, from ships to corporations.” (Peter Sokolowski, [02:15])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:27] – Introduction to "leviathan" with definition.
• [00:51] – Literary example from Ethan Rutherford’s novel.
• [01:21] – Explanation of mythological and biblical origins.
• [01:48] – Entry into English and literary tradition, including "Moby Dick."
• [02:02] – Notable "Moby Dick" quote.
• [02:15] – Explanation of modern usage.

Episode Tone and Style

Peter Sokolowski’s narration is informed, literary, and accessible, blending etymology, storytelling, and practical usage. The episode moves briskly, with each segment contributing a new layer of meaning and context to the word "leviathan."

For more definitions, etymologies, and word fun, visit merriam-webster.com.