monolithos

Monolithos is a toponym of Greek origin and a term used for places in Greece. The word derives from the Greek monólithos, meaning "single stone," from monos "alone" and lithos "stone." In English, the corresponding geological term is "monolith," while "monolithos" appears primarily as a proper name.

Geology employs "monolith" to describe large, single blocks of rock, shaped by natural processes. In archaeology and art history, the term denotes large carved or standing stones, though "monolithos" is not standard in English for such usage.

One notable instance of the toponym is Monolithos, a village on the island of Rhodes in Greece. The settlement lies along the southern coast, and a hilltop fortress, the Castle of Monolithos, remains as a ruin from the medieval period. A nearby beach, Monolithos Beach, is named for a prominent rock formation visible from the shore. The site is a common stop for visitors seeking views of the coast.

Beyond Rhodes, Monolithos appears in Greek toponymy as the name of other small locales. In general usage, the term reflects the wider idea of a single, monumental stone in nature or memory.