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

Derived 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

Some argued he was an ancient fertility figure, others a Roman Hercules, or even a later satire of Oliver Cromwell.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Talking about the victims, but without mentioning the Hercules plane directly, he wrote: "This piece of scrap metal was bought in 2020 and came down, let's ask why".

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

The aircraft, a Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130, was lifting off from Puerto Leguízamo, a town on the Putumayo River across from Peru, when it went down, said Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Iphicles screamed and tried to get out of bed, but Hercules sat up and grasped the deadly creatures by the throat.

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

Related Words

• behemoth
• titan