Charon

American  

[kair-uhn, kar-] / ˈkɛər ən, ˈkær- /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. the ferryman who conveyed the souls of the dead across the Styx.

2. (usually used ironically) any ferryman.

3. Astronomy. the natural satellite of Pluto, discovered in 1978.

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Charon ¹ British  

/ ˈkɛərən /

noun

1. the only known satellite of Pluto, discovered in 1978

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Charon ² British  

/ ˈkɛərən /

noun

1. Greek myth the ferryman who brought the dead across the rivers Styx or Acheron to Hades

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Charon Scientific  

/ kâr′ən /

1. The largest of Pluto's three moons. Charon is just over half Pluto's size and orbits it so closely that it was not discovered as a distinct body until 1978. Although Pluto is covered with methane ice, Charon appears to be covered with water ice.

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Charon Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, the boatman who carried the souls of the dead across the river Styx and into Hades, the underworld.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Charonian
  adjective
• Charonic
  adjective

Example Sentences

"There are people who have even had to quit their jobs because they can't afford transportation," said Ignacio Charon, a 48-year-old tire repair shop employee.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

Because Charon is just over half the size of Pluto, the two bodies then began orbiting each other in a cosmic dance in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune’s orbit.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2025

Eris and Makemake are comparable in size to Pluto and its moon Charon.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2024

Italian meteorologists have dubbed the next phase of the European heatwave "Charon" - a reference to the ferryman of the souls of the dead in Greek mythology.

From Reuters • Jul. 14, 2023

Charon will receive into his boat only the souls of those upon whose lips the passage money was placed when they died and who were duly buried.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton