Vesta

American  

[ves-tuh] / ˈvɛs tə /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the ancient Roman goddess of the hearth, worshiped in a temple containing an altar on which a sacred fire was kept burning by the vestal virgins: identified with the Greek Hestia.

2. Astronomy. the second largest and by far the brightest asteroid in our solar system, discovered in 1807 and located in the asteroid belt.

3. (lowercase) a short friction match with a wood or wax shank.

4. a female given name.

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Vesta ¹ British  

/ ˈvɛstə /

noun

1. the brightest of the four largest asteroids. Diameter: about 530 km (240 miles)

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Vesta ² British  

/ ˈvɛstə /

noun

1. Greek counterpart: Hestia.  the Roman goddess of the hearth and its fire. In her temple a perpetual flame was tended by the vestal virgins

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vesta ³ British  

/ ˈvɛstə /

noun

1. a short friction match, usually of wood

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Vesta Scientific  

/ vĕs′tə /

1. The brightest of all the asteroids and the fourth to be discovered, in 1807. It is the third largest, with a diameter of about 530 km (329 mi), and the only asteroid that can be seen without a telescope. Evidence of lava flows on its surface suggests that it once had a molten interior.

2. See more at asteroid

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Vesta Cultural  

1. The Roman and Greek goddess of the hearth and home. Roman and Greek cities were supposed to have a public hearth dedicated to Vesta, at which the fire was kept constantly burning.

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Etymology

Origin of Vesta

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin; possibly akin to Greek Hestía; possibly derivative of Latin ūrere “to burn”

Example Sentences

Going all out, I once tried to go to a fancy-dress party as a Swan Vesta matchbox, wearing an elaborate cardboard contraption painted with a lot of time and effort.

From Slate • Jul. 21, 2025

Vesta was founded in 2017 and serves affluent customers in L.A.,

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

At 500km long, the star is about the same size as Vesta - the second-largest asteroid in our solar system.

From BBC • Feb. 29, 2024

One, Project Vesta, in 2022 spread an alkaline mineral called olivine on a Long Island beach to test whether that would result in more alkaline waters as waves wash the material out to sea.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 30, 2023

Among the Romans, Vesta was not the only goddess invoked on the family hearth, for she shared that place of honor with the Lares, Manes, and Penates, who all enjoyed special veneration and sacrifices.

From Myths of Greece and Rome Narrated with Special Reference to Literature and Art by Guerber, H. A. (H?l?ne Adeline)