Charon

American  

[kair-uhn, kar-] / ˈkɛər ən, ˈkær- /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the ferryman who conveyed the souls of the dead across the Styx.

2. (usually used ironically) any ferryman.

3. Astronomy. the natural satellite of Pluto, discovered in 1978.

---

Charon ¹ British  

/ ˈkɛərən /

noun

1. Greek myth the ferryman who brought the dead across the rivers Styx or Acheron to Hades

---

Charon ² British  

/ ˈkɛərən /

noun

1. the only known satellite of Pluto, discovered in 1978

---

Charon Scientific  

/ kâr′ən /

1. The largest of Pluto's three moons. Charon is just over half Pluto's size and orbits it so closely that it was not discovered as a distinct body until 1978. Although Pluto is covered with methane ice, Charon appears to be covered with water ice.

---

Charon Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, the boatman who carried the souls of the dead across the river Styx and into Hades, the underworld.

---

Other Word Forms

• Charonian adjective
• Charonic adjective

Example Sentences

"There are people who have even had to quit their jobs because they can't afford transportation," said Ignacio Charon, a 48-year-old tire repair shop employee.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

They call this cosmic dance a “kiss and capture” event, which could indicate Charon and Pluto are roughly the same age.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2025

Eris and Makemake are comparable in size to Pluto and its moon Charon.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2024

An anticyclone nicknamed Charon - who in Greek mythology was the ferryman of the dead - could cause Europe to break its highest recorded temperature of 48.8C, possibly on the Italian island of Sardinia.

From Reuters • Jul. 17, 2023

“Straightforward and honest. No screaming. No ‘There must be a mistake, Mr. Charon.’

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan