monolithic

/ˌˈmɑnəˌlɪθɪk/

Other forms: monolithically

When something is monolithic it's big, and made of one thing. A large piece of stone jutting from the earth is a monolith, and Detroit's economy when it depended entirely on the auto industry was monolithic.

Broken into its roots mono and lithic, monolithic means simply "one stone." When monolithic is used to describe something societal — like a religion or an organization — it has a slightly negative connotation. For example, a monolithic society is rigid and homogenous, not open to new ideas. Being monolithic is good for rocks, but not so good for groups of people.

Definitions of monolithic

1. adjective

   imposing in size or bulk or solidity
   “the monolithic proportions of Stalinist architecture”

   synonyms: massive, monumental

   big, large

   above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
2. adjective

   characterized by massiveness and rigidity and total uniformity
   “a monolithic society”

   “a monolithic worldwide movement”

   synonyms:

   undiversified

   not diversified