Hercules

American  

[hur-kyuh-leez] / ˈhɜr kyəˌliz /

noun

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.

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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

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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

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Hercules Scientific  

/ hûr′kyə-lēz′ /

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

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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.

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Other Word Forms

• Herculean
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Hercules

From Latin Herculēs, Herclēs, Greek; see Heracles

Compare meaning

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

• Heracles vs. Hercules

Example Sentences

The Hercules bench set, composed of five seats made from the same slab of eucalyptus, $12,000.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

A local farmer told AFP news agency that he had heard a loud bang before the Hercules crashed into trees near his home.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The Hercules aircraft went down shortly after departure from Puerto Leguizamo, near the southern border with Ecuador, strewing burning wreckage on the jungle floor.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The plane, a Hercules used for transporting troops, came down near the town of Puerto Leguízamo, in Putumayo province.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

The shield of Hercules rolled away and wobbled to a stop in a patch of poison flowers.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• behemoth
• titan