momentous
adjective
mo·men·tous
mō-ˈmen-təs 
mə-
: having great or lasting importance : consequential, significant
a momentous decision
a momentous event/occasion
The Senate begins a momentous debate on health care today …—
The New York Times
The New York TimesDeydey usually talked about his travels, the places he'd seen and the people, the close calls and momentous encounters with animals, weather, other Anishinabeg, and best of all, ghosts.—Louise Erdrich
Louise ErdrichThe late nineteenth century was strewn with inventions. Many were momentous, but few affected men and women more closely than the bicycle and its motorized offspring: motorcycle, motor-car and aeroplane.—Eugen Weber
Eugen Weber
momentously
adverb
a momentously important decision
… a … twist that is executed differently from the comic book story, but is just as dramatically and momentously presented.
—The Philippines Daily Inquirer
The Philippines Daily Inquirer
momentousness
noun
But other East Europeans had little time to marvel at the momentousness of the moment. Just one day after the fall of the [Berlin] Wall, Bulgaria's dour leader of 35 years, Todor Zhivkov, was ousted.
—Stephen E. Deane
Stephen E. Deane
Examples of momentous in a Sentence
My college graduation was a momentous day in my life.
a momentous occasion that will go down in the history books
Recent Examples on the Web
Other pictures and clips showed the teenager with some of his fellow prom-goers and a large shot of the entire class celebrating the momentous occasion.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 May 2025
The foursome chipped into a momentous worst-to-first reversal for the Tar Heels.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 25 May 2025
While other noteworthy anniversaries of momentous events that have shaped the nation have often inspired documentaries and prime-time specials hosted by top news personalities, many TV news outlets are treating the Floyd anniversary with a more subdued tone.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
During this momentous occasion, which runs until June 1, Nordstrom is slashing prices on thousands of items, and our dedicated shopping editors are seeing sales of up to 60 percent off (if not more).
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for momentous
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Kayla Grant, People.com, 26 May 2025
The foursome chipped into a momentous worst-to-first reversal for the Tar Heels.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 25 May 2025
While other noteworthy anniversaries of momentous events that have shaped the nation have often inspired documentaries and prime-time specials hosted by top news personalities, many TV news outlets are treating the Floyd anniversary with a more subdued tone.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
During this momentous occasion, which runs until June 1, Nordstrom is slashing prices on thousands of items, and our dedicated shopping editors are seeing sales of up to 60 percent off (if not more).
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for momentous
Cite this Entry
“Momentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/momentous. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
momentous
adjective
mo·men·tous
mō-ˈment-əs
: very important
a momentous decision
momentously
adverb
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