Athena

[ uh-thee-nuh ]

/ əˈθi nə /

Save This Word!

noun

Also A·the·ne

[uh-thee-nee]. /əˈθi ni/. Also called Pallas, Pallas Athena. the virgin deity of the ancient Greeks worshiped as the goddess of wisdom, fertility, the useful arts, and prudent warfare. At her birth she sprang forth fully armed from the head of her father, Zeus.Compare Minerva.

a female given name.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby Athena

Athel, atheling, Athelstan, athel tree, athematic, Athena, athenaeum, Athenaeus, Athenaeus of Attaleia, Athenagoras I, Athenian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Athena in a sentence

Newhouse wasn’t picky about the type of company Athena would target.
The climate tech SPAC boom is just beginning|Tim McDonnell|July 22, 2021|Quartz
Athena, on the other hand, provides uncrowded trail access and a reason for visitors to come to a town that’s been riding the economic roller coaster of extraction.
Why We Should Be Turning Former Mines into Trails|Heather Hansman|May 29, 2021|Outside Online
On May 12, the Association for Computing Machinery granted Howard this year’s Athena Lecturer Award, which recognizes women who have made fundamental contributions in computer science.
We need to design distrust into AI systems to make them safer|Karen Hao|May 13, 2021|MIT Technology Review
In Seattle, for instance, I met the dynamic Trish May, who launched Athena Partners.
30 Cities to Restart Your Career|Kerry Hannon|October 7, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Thus Athena replaces unreason with reason, and revenge with the spirit of clemency.
Cheney Blood Lust|Lee Siegel|October 22, 2009|DAILY BEAST
In the fortunes of war, when it was for defensive aims, Athena took an intense interest and an active part.
Greek Sculpture|Estelle M. Hurll
Those on Athena are slaves and it is probable that Earth has been enslaved by now.
Space Prison|Tom Godwin
Remember that while you're posturing in your little hour of glory on Athena and Earth.
Space Prison|Tom Godwin
Stars filled the transdimensional viewscreen, the sun of Athena in the center.
Space Prison|Tom Godwin
We have the cruiser and sixty days from now we'll have Athena.
Space Prison|Tom Godwin

British Dictionary definitions for Athena

Athena

Athene (əˈθiːnɪ)

/ (əˈθiːnə) /

noun

Greek myth a virgin goddess of wisdom, practical skills, and prudent warfare. She was born, fully armed, from the head of ZeusAlso called: Pallas Athena, Pallas Roman counterpart: Minerva

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for Athena

Athena

[Roman name Minerva]

The Greek and Roman goddess of wisdom. She had an unusual birth, springing fully grown out of the forehead of her father, Zeus. Athena was one of the goddesses angered by the Judgment of Paris, a Trojan, and she therefore helped the Greeks in the ensuing Trojan War (see also Trojan War). Eventually, she became the protector of Odysseus on his journey home.

notes for Athena

Athena was the guardian of the city of Athens (see also Athens), which was named in her honor.