Hercules

[ hur-kyuh-leez ]

/ ˈhɜr kyəˌliz /

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noun, genitive Her·cu·lis

[hur-kyuh-lis] /ˈhɜr kyə lɪs/ for 2.

Also Her·a·cles

[her-uh-kleez] /ˈhɛr əˌkliz/ .Also called Al·ci·des

[al-sahy-deez] /ælˈsaɪ diz/ .Classical Mythology. a celebrated hero, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, possessing exceptional strength: among his many adventures were the twelve labors for his cousin Eurystheus, performed in order to gain immortality.Compare labors of Hercules.

Astronomy. a northern constellation, between Lyra and Corona Borealis.

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Origin of Hercules

From Latin Herculēs, Herclēs, Greek; see Heracles

Words nearby Hercules

herby, Hercegovina, Herceptin, Herculaneum, herculean, Hercules, Hercules beetle, Hercules-club, Hercynian, hercynite, herd

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

How to use Hercules in a sentence

Sure enough, the galaxy in Hercules emits a wavelength of blue light that comes from just such helium ions.
A record-breaking, oxygen-starved galaxy may be full of gigantic stars’ shrapnel|Ken Croswell|April 9, 2021|Science News
The one discovered in October by Hercules was a lucky accident.
Whales get a second life as deep-sea buffets|Stephen Ornes|October 15, 2020|Science News For Students
Hercules, on the other hand, took a long time to walk over bridges.
The right way to walk your dog|John Kennedy|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science
We flew in from New Zealand on a Hercules military ski-equipped aircraft.
He Found ‘Islands of Fertility’ Beneath Antarctica’s Ice|Steve Nadis|July 20, 2020|Quanta Magazine

In her remarks, the Hercules Group was synonymous with peace and safety.
Mexico’s Murderous SWAT Teams|Jason McGahan|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The dealership called the Hercules team “right then and there,” Pedro Sr. said.
Mexico’s Murderous SWAT Teams|Jason McGahan|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The public debut of the Hercules Group is a day that not many in Matamoros are likely to forget.
Mexico’s Murderous SWAT Teams|Jason McGahan|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Outside, on the roof, the clock is flanked by more Beaux Arts touches: statues of Hercules, Mercury, and Minerva.
Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years, 100 Facts|Sarah Begley|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After this scene a domestic comes and talks to himself about the arrival of Hercules.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
Hercules himself, so the story went, was known to swear but one oath in the whole course of his life.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
"Sure enough," responded the Hercules, stopping short and balancing himself on his legs.
The Seven Cardinal Sins: Envy and Indolence|Eugne Sue
After a two horse-power pull, a regular thirteenth labor of Hercules, a hiatus of two inches manifests itself.
The Petty Troubles of Married Life, Complete|Honore de Balzac
On it are depicted, in most curious workmanship, the labours of Hercules, and other expressive allegories.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe

British Dictionary definitions for Hercules (1 of 2)

Hercules¹

Heracles or Herakles

/ (ˈhɜːkjʊˌliːz) /

noun

Also called: Alcides classical myth a hero noted for his great strength, courage, and for the performance of twelve immense labours

a man of outstanding strength or size

Derived forms of Hercules

Herculean, Heraclean or Heraklean, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for Hercules (2 of 2)

Hercules²

/ (ˈhɜːkjʊˌliːz) /

noun Latin genitive Herculeis (ˌhɜːkjʊˈliːɪs)

a large constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Lyra and Corona Borealis

a conspicuous crater in the NW quadrant of the moon, about 70 kilometres in diameter

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 Hercules

Hercules

[ hûr′kyə-lēz′ ]

A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Lyra and Corona Borealis.

Cultural definitions for Hercules

Hercules

One of the greatest heroes of classical mythology, he is supposed to have been the strongest man on earth. He was renowned for completing twelve seemingly impossible tasks — the Labors of Hercules. One of these labors was the cleaning of the Augean stables; another was the killing of the nine-headed Hydra. Hercules was a son of Zeus.