Babel

noun

Ba·​bel ˈbā-bəl How to pronounce Babel (audio) ˈba- How to pronounce Babel (audio)
1
: a city in Shinar where the building of a tower is held in Genesis to have been halted by the confusion of tongues
2
or babel
a
: a confusion of sounds or voices
b
: a scene of noise or confusion

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Hebrew Bābhel, from Akkadian bāb-ilu gate of god

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Babel was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Babel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Babel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

babel

noun
ba·​bel
ˈbā-bəl,
ˈbab-əl
often capitalized
1
: a confusion of sounds or voices
2
: a scene of noise or confusion
Etymology

from the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:4–9, the building of which was interrupted by a confusion of languages

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