Definition

1. Noun:
   • A confusion of voices and other sounds: A situation characterized by a chaotic mixture of sounds, especially many people talking at once in different languages or a noisy uproar.
   • (Biblical) The Tower of Babel: In the Book of Genesis, a tower built in the land of Shinar by descendants of Noah. Their intention to build a tower reaching to heaven was thwarted by God, who confused their language, causing them to scatter. This story is often used to explain the origin of different languages.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Confusion of sounds):

  • The market was a babel of different languages and shouting vendors.
  • When the fire alarm went off, the hallway became a complete babel.

• Noun (Biblical reference):

  • The story of the Tower of Babel is a famous biblical account.
  • His ambitious project was compared to the Tower of Babel, destined for confusion and failure.

Advanced Usage

• "a babel of": Used to describe a chaotic mixture or jumble of something, typically sounds or information.
  • The internet can be a babel of conflicting opinions and data.
• "Babel-like": Adjective form describing something reminiscent of the confusion associated with Babel.
  • The conference room was a Babel-like scene of simultaneous translation and debate.

Variants and Related Words

• Babelize (verb, rare): To confuse or mix up languages or communications.
  • The sudden influx of immigrants seemed to babelize the city's official communications for a time.
• Babelism (noun, rare): The state of confusion of tongues or a doctrine related to the Tower of Babel.

Synonyms

• Bedlam: A scene of uproar and confusion.
• Din: A loud, unpleasant, and prolonged noise.
• Tumult: A loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.
• Pandemonium: Wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.

Related Phrases

• "Tower of Babel": Often used metaphorically to describe an overly ambitious, complex, or ultimately futile project that leads to confusion and miscommunication.
  • The new software integration turned into a modern Tower of Babel, with different departments unable to understand each other's systems.

Related Idioms

• "A Babel of tongues": A phrase directly describing a situation where many languages are being spoken at once, creating confusion.
  • The United Nations assembly hall is often a Babel of tongues.

Noun

1. a confusion of voices and other sounds
2. (Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another