Ceres

[ seer-eez ]

/ ˈsɪər iz /

Save This Word!

noun

Classical Mythology. a pre-Roman goddess of agriculture under whose name the Romans adopted the worship of the Greek goddess Demeter.

Astronomy. one of the brightest and by far the largest asteroid in our solar system, discovered in 1801 and located in the asteroid belt: the first asteroid to be discovered, Ceres is also classified as a dwarf planet. See also Hygieia (def. 2), Pallas (def. 2), Vesta (def. 2).

a town in central California.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of Ceres

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin Cerēs, the goddess of grain and mother of Persephone; as a common noun, “wheat, corn; bread, food”

Words nearby Ceres

ceremony, Cerenkov, Cerenkov effect, Cerenkov radiation, cereous, Ceres, ceresin, cereus, Cerf, ceria, ceric

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use Ceres in a sentence

China is mulling a sample return mission to the dwarf planet Ceres.
We’re living in a golden age of sample return missions|Neel Patel|February 2, 2021|MIT Technology Review
For example, Galactic Energy, founded in February 2018, is building its Ceres rocket to offer rapid launch service for single payloads, while its Pallas rocket is being built to deploy entire constellations.
China’s surging private space industry is out to challenge the US|Neel Patel|January 21, 2021|MIT Technology Review
From the threat to US financial markets detailed recently by the CFTC to the potential risk for banks highlighted in a recent report from the sustainability nonprofit Ceres, it’s clear the cost of climate change will be catastrophic.
How company leaders can take an active role on climate change|Clay Wilkes|January 21, 2021|Quartz
Dawn observed Ceres from orbit for three years, until it ran out of fuel in November 2018.
The 5 best places to explore in the solar system—besides Mars|Neel Patel|August 17, 2020|MIT Technology Review

That suggests whatever geological activity is encouraging these deposits might still be happening, which would mean Ceres is still an active world.
The dwarf planet Ceres might be home to an underground ocean of water|Neel Patel|August 11, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Afield, he was able to pick up propaganda broadcasts from Ceres.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
Ceres Station was beaming pronouncements, too—rattling the saber.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun
When Juno, goddess of the sky, married Jupiter, her sister Ceres gave her a handsome present.
'Round the Year in Myth and Song|Florence Holbrook
In passing along, my eye caught sight of a beautiful figure of Ceres, resting on a pedestal.
The Sheepfold and the Common, Vol. II (of 2)|Timothy East
Psyche listened to these friendly words, and thanked Ceres for taking pity on her suffering.
Stories of Old Greece and Rome|Emilie Kip Baker

British Dictionary definitions for Ceres (1 of 2)

Ceres¹

/ (ˈsɪəriːz) /

noun

the Roman goddess of agricultureGreek counterpart: Demeter

British Dictionary definitions for Ceres (2 of 2)

Ceres²

/ (ˈsɪəriːz) /

noun

the smallest dwarf planet in the solar system, located in the asteroid belt. It has a diameter of 930 kilometres

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

Scientific definitions for Ceres

Ceres

[ sîr′ēz ]

The closest dwarf planet to the Sun , with an orbit in the asteroid belt. Ceres was the first object in the asteroid belt to be discovered (1801). Initially considered a planet, it was reclassified as an asteroid in the mid-1800s and as a dwarf planet in 2006. It has a diameter of about 960 km (595 mi). See more at dwarf planet.

Cultural definitions for Ceres

Ceres

[ (seer-eez) ]

The Roman name for Demeter, the Greek and Roman goddess of agriculture.