Gorgon

American  

[gawr-guhn] / ˈgɔr gən /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. any of three sister monsters commonly represented as having snakes for hair, wings, brazen claws, and eyes that turned anyone looking into them to stone. Medusa, the only mortal Gorgon, was beheaded by Perseus.

2. (lowercase) a mean, ugly, or repulsive woman.

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Gorgon British  

/ ˈɡɔːɡən /

noun

1. Greek myth any of three winged monstrous sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, who had live snakes for hair, huge teeth, and brazen claws

2. informal (often not capital) a fierce or unpleasant woman

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Other Word Forms

• Gorgonian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Gorgon

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin Gorgōn < Greek Gorgṓ, derivative of gorgós dreadful

Example Sentences

A sprawling industrial complex sitting just off Australia's western coast, the Gorgon plant is capable of pumping out more than 15 million metric tonnes of gas each year.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Inside the bright vestibule, the face of a protective Gorgon glowers at the visitor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Only much later would I realize that it wasn’t so much a smorgasbord of vendors as it was the Gorgon Medusa: When one head is removed, more sprout in its place.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

Some park presidents will be absorbed into other roles at the company, Gorgon said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2025

I came back from that country and said that I had seen the Gorgon, but it did not make me a stone.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt