juggernaut Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way
    steamroller.
  2. noun an avatar of Vishnu
    Jagannath; Jagannatha; Jagganath.
  3. noun a crude idol of Krishna

WordNet


Jug"ger*naut` noun
Etymology
Skr. jagannatha lord of the world.
Definitions
  1. One of the names under which Vishnu, in his incarnation as Krishna, is worshiped by the Hindoos. Written also Juggernnath, Jaganath, Jaganatha, etc. ✍ The principal seat of the worship of Juggernaut is at Pûri in Orissa. At certain times the idol is drawn from the temple by the multitude, on a high car with sixteen wheels. Formerly, fanatics sometimes threw themselves under the wheels to be crushed as a sacrifice to the god.

Webster 1913