Iliad

American  

[il-ee-uhd] / ˈɪl i əd /

noun

1. (italics) a Greek epic poem describing the siege of Troy, ascribed to Homer.

2. (sometimes lowercase) any similar poem; a long narrative.

3. (often lowercase) a long series of woes, trials, etc.

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Iliad British  

/ ˈɪlɪəd, ˌɪlɪˈædɪk /

noun

1. a Greek epic poem describing the siege of Troy, attributed to Homer and probably composed before 700 _bc

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Other Word Forms

• Iliadic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Iliad

< Latin Iliad- (stem of Ilias ) < Greek, equivalent to Ili ( on ) Troy + -ad- -ad ¹

Compare meaning

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

• Iliad vs. Odyssey

Example Sentences

The Trojan War, most famously described in Homer's epic poem the Iliad, tells of a legendary ten year conflict between Greek forces and the city of Troy, ruled by King Priam.

From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2026

Her “ideal day” is to go to the Iliad Bookshop in North Hollywood, “visit” the cat who sits on the register and prowl the aisles until she finds three books to bring home.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

Durand was appointed as Iliad Group’s deputy chief executive in March 2024.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

If the takeover bid is successful, Bouygues would acquire 43 percent of SFR's operations, Iliad 30 percent and Orange 27 percent.

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

Cleopatra read Homer’s epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey, poetry by Hesiod and Pindar; and plays by Euripides and Menander.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby