Ishtar

[ ish-tahr ]

/ ˈɪʃ tɑr /

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noun

the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of love and war, identified with the Phoenician Astarte, the Semitic Ashtoreth, and the Sumerian Inanna.

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Also called My·lit·ta

[mi-lit-uh] /mɪˈlɪt ə/ .

Origin of Ishtar

First recorded in 1800–10; from East Semitic (Akkadian), corresponding to West Semitic (Phoenician) Astarte; cf. Ashtoreth, Astarte, Aphrodite

Words nearby Ishtar

Ishihara test, Ishikari Bay, Ishim, Ishmael, Ishmaelite, Ishtar, Ishtar Terra, Ishum, Ishvara, Isiac, isidioid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Ishtar in a sentence

The name Easter may, or may not, be derived from the Sumerian goddess Inanna, or Ishtar—the source of the Hebrew name Esther.
Meet Krampus, the Seriously Bad Santa|Jay Michaelson|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Belle Jar has more: Ishtar was the goddess of love, war and sex.
Happy Easter, Which is Not Named After Ishtar, Okay?|Megan McArdle|March 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Anyway, the point I am trying to make here is that, yes, Ishtar was associated with fertility and sex.
Happy Easter, Which is Not Named After Ishtar, Okay?|Megan McArdle|March 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was lined from end to end with sculptured bulls and griffins, and the great gate of Ishtar spans it midway in its length.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram

During the winter Tammuz dwelt in Hades, and at the beginning of spring Ishtar descended to search for him among the shades.
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria|Donald A. Mackenzie
As Ishtar enters through the various gates she is stripped of her ornaments and clothing.
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria|Donald A. Mackenzie
Ishtar asks at each gate why she is thus dealt with, and the porter answers, "Such is the command of Allatu."
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria|Donald A. Mackenzie
Ishtar, the wife of Arbaces, possessed her share of the unearthly influence hereditary in her race.
Sarchedon|G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville

British Dictionary definitions for Ishtar

Ishtar

/ (ˈɪʃtɑː) /

noun

the principal goddess of the Babylonians and Assyrians; divinity of love, fertility, and war

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