Ishtar

American

[ish-tahr] / ˈɪʃ tɑr /

noun

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

Ishtar British

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of Ishtar

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She likely originated in the Babylonian kharimati, singing priestesses of bull-riding goddess Ishtar.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2023

The destroyed buildings included a modern reconstruction of the Temple of Ishtar that encased original historic remains.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 21, 2023

For example, the Akkadians identified the fertility goddess Inanna with their own goddess Ishtar.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

However, the Ishtar Gate, which was built in 575 BC, will be wrapped up and closed to the public until 2037.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2023

"I feel a celebration is in order," said Ishtar.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023