Cerberus
Americannoun
plural
Cerberuses, Cerberi-
Classical Mythology. Also Kerberos a dog, usually represented as having three heads, that guarded the entrance of the infernal regions.
-
a formidable and often surly keeper or guard.
noun
-
Greek myth a dog, usually represented as having three heads, that guarded the entrance to Hades
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a bribe or something given to propitiate a potential source of danger or problems
Other Word Forms
- Cerberean adjective
- Cerberic adjective
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.
“This is a Cerberus takeover,” said Steve Blank, an adjunct Stanford professor of entrepreneurship and national security.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
Warsh also received $1.55 million from GoldenTree Asset Management, $750,000 from Cerberus Capital Management, and $650,000 from Heitman LLC, all for consulting work conducted through his personal advisory firm, Vicarage LLC.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
In 2021 GradImages was bought again and placed under the collegiate souvenir clearinghouse Balfour, with a new majority equity holder, New York–based PE giant Cerberus Capital Management.
From Slate • May 27, 2025
Stephen Feinberg, co-CEO of private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management and worth $8 billion, has reportedly been offered the position of deputy defense secretary.
From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024
I didn’t need to speak dog to know Cerberus was still waiting for the ball.
From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
