Aries
Americannoun
-
Astronomy. the Ram, a zodiacal constellation between Pisces and Taurus.
-
Astrology.
-
the first sign of the zodiac: the cardinal fire sign.
-
a person born under this sign, usually between March 21st and April 19th.
-
noun
-
astronomy a small zodiacal constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Taurus and Pisces on the ecliptic and having a second-magnitude star
-
astrology
-
Also called: the Ram. the first sign of the zodiac, symbol ♈, having a cardinal fire classification, ruled by the planet Mars. The sun is in this sign between about March 21 and April 19
-
a person born during the period when the sun is in this sign
-
adjective
Usage
What does Aries mean? Aries is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as resembling a ram. It can also be referred to as the Ram. A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Aries is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac. In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move. Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Aries is one of these signs. It is situated between Pisces and Taurus and is considered the first sign of the zodiac. The other signs of the zodiac are Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Aries are those born between March 21 and April 19. The word Aries can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in late March, so I’m an Aries. The word Arien can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Aries. Aries should not be confused with Ares, the name of the Greek god of war. Example: My favorite constellation is Aries, and not just because I’m an Aries!
Etymology
Origin of Aries
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: ram
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In one of her videos, she points out that this year’s Lunar New Year also falls on a solar eclipse day, with Saturn and Neptune conjunct in Aries a few days later.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 10, 2026
Argentina secured their first ever home victory over New Zealand as they beat the All Blacks 29-23 in front of a raucous crowd in Buenos Aries.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2025
If you meet an Aries, they’re like, “Let’s go here, let’s do this, let’s go there.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2025
Seventeen Indian crew members of the MSC Aries, a commercial ship with links to Israel, were stuck when Iranian troops seized the vessel in April.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2024
“The sky-ferry will resume its route in fifteen minutes,” Aries called out as trainees lined up to disembark.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
This is α Arietis, the first point in the constellation of that name, which signifies the Ram, and from which the right ascensions of the stars are measured on the celestial sphere.
From The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost' by Orchard, Thomas Nathaniel
The star γ Arietis was one of the first double stars discovered.
From A Field Book of the Stars by Olcott, William Tyler
The star Arietis was on one side of the Moon and Pollux on the other.
From Captain Cook's Journal During the First Voyage Round the World by Cook, James
His observations could not have been very extensive or very carefully conducted, for there are many double stars much wider than γ Arietis which Hooke could certainly have separated if he had examined them.
From Pleasures of the telescope An Illustrated Guide for Amateur Astronomers and a Popular Description of the Chief Wonders of the Heavens for General Readers by Serviss, Garrett Putman
According to Al-Sufi, the stars β and γ Arietis were called by the Arabians al-scharatain, “the two marks.”
From Astronomical Curiosities Facts and Fallacies by Gore, J. Ellard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
