Hercules

American  

[hur-kyuh-leez] / ˈhɜr kyəˌliz /

noun

genitive

Herculis

1. Also called Alcides.  Classical Mythology. Also Heracles 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.

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

---

Hercules ¹ British  

/ ˈhɜːkjʊˌliːz /

noun

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

2. a man of outstanding strength or size

---

Hercules ² British  

/ ˈhɜːkjʊˌliːz /

noun

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

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

---

Hercules Scientific  

/ hûr′kyə-lēz′ /

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

---

Hercules Cultural  

1. 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.

---

Other Word Forms

• Herculean adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hercules

From Latin Herculēs, Herclēs, Greek; Heracles

Compare meaning

How does hercules compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Heracles vs. Hercules

Example Sentences

Yet as funny as it is to see a guy this scrawny carry himself like Hercules, he leaps and strikes with conviction.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yet as funny as it is to see a guy this scrawny carry himself like Hercules, he leaps and strikes with conviction.

From Los Angeles Times

One can only imagine the shock and then the exhilaration when it became obvious that the boulder was a huge statue of the divine Greek hero Hercules.

From Literature

The box is carved with scenes of the labors of Hercules, while the lid is decorated with monumental reclining figures of the deceased.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, Beach said its Hercules well had failed to find natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• behemoth
• titan