Juggernaut

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈdÊ’ÊŒ.É¡É™.nɔːt/
• US IPA: /ˈdÊ’ÊŒ.É¡Éš.nÉ‘t/

Origin

From Hindustani Hindi जगन्नाथ/Oriya ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ/ Urdu جگنّاتھ, from Sanskrit जगन्नाथ (jagannātha, "lord of the universe") (Jagannath), a title for the Hindu deity Vishnu's avatar Krishna. English form influenced by suffix -naut ("sailor").

From British colonial era in India, witnessing the Rath Yatra (chariot parade) at Puri, Orissa. The festival features a huge annual procession, with a wagon of the idol of Lord Krishna. Pulled with ropes by hundreds of devotees, the wagon develops considerable momentum and becomes unstoppable.

Full definition of juggernaut

Noun

1. A literal or metaphorical force or object regarded as unstoppable, that will crush all in its path.
• 2011, October 1, Saj Chowdhury, Wolverhampton 1 - 2 Newcastle, McCarthy will point to their bad luck but the statistics now show that Wolves have lost four league matches and have claimed one point from a possible 15 - so it may prove to be another difficult season for the Midlands side.
  In contrast, the Newcastle juggernaut rolls on.
2. (British) A large, cumbersome truck or lorry, especially an artic (typically used somewhat disparagingly).
3. An institution that incites destructive devotion or to which people are carelessly sacrificed.