Hercules
Americannoun
genitive
Herculis-
Also called Alcides. Classical Mythology. Also Heracles a celebrated hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, possessing exceptional strength: among his many adventures were the twelve labors for his cousin Eurystheus, performed in order to gain immortality.
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Astronomy. a northern constellation, between Lyra and Corona Borealis.
noun
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Also called: Alcides. classical myth a hero noted for his great strength, courage, and for the performance of twelve immense labours
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a man of outstanding strength or size
noun
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a large constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Lyra and Corona Borealis
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a conspicuous crater in the NW quadrant of the moon, about 70 kilometres in diameter
Other Word Forms
- Herculean adjective
Etymology
Origin of Hercules
From Latin Herculēs, Herclēs, Greek; Heracles
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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.
Talking about the victims, but without mentioning the Hercules plane directly, he wrote: "This piece of scrap metal was bought in 2020 and came down, let's ask why".
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
The plane, a Hercules used for transporting troops, came down near the town of Puerto Leguízamo, in Putumayo province.
From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026
Thomas Broughton’s vivid text zeroes in on the last days of the hero Hercules, who returns victorious from war with a string of captives.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
The C-130 Hercules -- manufactured by Lockheed Martin -- was carrying Bolivian banknotes, which scattered upon impact.
From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026
He told Hercules he could keep on holding up the sky, for Atlas himself would take the apples to Eurystheus.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
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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.