medusa

[ muh-doo-suh, -zuh, -dyoo- ]

/ məˈdu sə, -zə, -ˈdyu- /

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noun, plural me·du·sas, me·du·sae

[muh-doo-see, -zee, -dyoo-]. /məˈdu si, -zi, -ˈdyu-/. Zoology.

a saucer-shaped or dome-shaped, free-swimming jellyfish or hydra.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of medusa

1750–60; special use of Medusa, alluding to the Gorgon's snaky locks

OTHER WORDS FROM medusa

me·du·soid

[muh-doo-soid, -dyoo-], /məˈdu sɔɪd, -ˈdyu-/, adjective

Words nearby medusa

medullary ray, medullary sheath, medullated, medullation, medulloblastoma, medusa, medusafish, medusan, medusoid, Medvedev, Medway

Other definitions for medusa (2 of 2)

Medusa

[ muh-doo-suh, -zuh, -dyoo- ]

/ məˈdu sə, -zə, -ˈdyu- /

noun, plural Me·du·sas.Classical Mythology.

the only mortal of the three Gorgons. She was killed by Perseus, and her head was mounted upon the aegis of Zeus and Athena.

Origin of Medusa

<Latin <Greek Médousa, special use of médousa, feminine of médōn ruling

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

How to use medusa in a sentence

The legend goes that Perseus defeated Medusa with limited use of sight.
Eyeless army ants chomped their way through Europe millions of years ago|Laura Baisas|November 23, 2022|Popular-Science
For October, it’s Jess Zimmerman’s “Women and Other Monsters,” which recenters mythological characters, such as Medusa and the Harpies, through a feminist lens.
The best things to do in the D.C. area the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 4|Fritz Hahn, Anying Guo, Stephanie Williams, Haben Kelati, Adele Chapin|October 28, 2021|Washington Post
The devices, called “Medusa,” use a combination of four microphones and two cameras to maps noise levels when sounds exceed a certain decibel level, like a motorcycle backfiring or an engine revving.
Paris will try using sound sensors to fine vehicles causing noise pollution|Camille Squires|October 5, 2021|Quartz
In Greek mythology, the Gorgon Medusa had the face of a woman and poisonous snakes for hair; her glance could turn men to stone.
Russia’s Freest Website Now Lives in Latvia|Anna Nemtsova|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Medusa-emblazoned harnesses, stylish rock concert tees, and blaring rap music.
Versace, Versace, Versace|Liza Foreman|September 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article confused the monster Hydra with Medusa.
A Manifesto for Disorder: Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s ‘Antifragile’ Reviewed|Robert Herritt|November 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Shannel (Season 1) I love that outfit—the Medusa with the snakes.
RuPaul Picks Favorite All-Star Drag Race Looks|Maria Elena Fernandez|October 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At Versace, the best elements were tie-dyed prints in blue with a signature Medusa seemingly floating amid a summer sky.
Ode to Joy: Dolce, Versace and Bottega in Milan for Spring 2013|Robin Givhan|September 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Among these are "Medusa," a bronze bust; and a "Mater Dolorosa," in terra-cotta.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
A shark was also taken, eleven feet long; and many curious specimens of crustacea and medusa were obtained by the towing-net.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2]|Phillip Parker King
Whoever looked at Medusa was turned into stone, but Perseus, by the aid of enchantment, slew her.
Milton's Comus|John Milton
It did not take long for the hero who had slain Medusa to kill the unlawful claimant, and reinstate his grandfather.
Stories of Old Greece and Rome|Emilie Kip Baker
Some distance away lay the other two Gorgons, Medusa's sisters, but the young hero had no thought for them.
Stories of Old Greece and Rome|Emilie Kip Baker

British Dictionary definitions for medusa (1 of 2)

medusa

/ (mɪˈdjuːzə) /

noun plural -sas or -sae (-ziː)

another name for jellyfish (def. 1), jellyfish (def. 2)

Also called: medusoid, medusan one of the two forms in which a coelenterate exists. It has a jelly-like umbrella-shaped body, is free swimming, and produces gametesCompare polyp

Derived forms of medusa

medusan, adjective

Word Origin for medusa

C18: from the likeness of its tentacles to the snaky locks of Medusa

British Dictionary definitions for medusa (2 of 2)

Medusa

/ (mɪˈdjuːzə) /

noun

Greek myth a mortal woman who was transformed by Athena into one of the three Gorgons. Her appearance was so hideous that those who looked directly at her were turned to stone. Perseus eventually slew herSee also Pegasus 1

Derived forms of Medusa

Medusan, adjective

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

Scientific definitions for medusa

medusa

[ mĭ-dōō′sə ]

Plural medusas medusae (mĭ-dōō′sē)

A cnidarian in its free-swimming stage. Medusas are bell-shaped, with tentacles hanging down around a central mouth. Jellyfish are medusas, while corals and sea anemones lack a medusa stage and exist only as polyps. Compare polyp.

Cultural definitions for medusa

Medusa

[ (mi-dooh-suh, mi-dooh-zuh) ]

The best known of the monster Gorgons of classical mythology; people who looked at her would turn to stone. A hero, Perseus, was able to kill Medusa, aiming his sword by looking at her reflection in a highly polished shield.

medusa

Origin of medusa

OTHER WORDS FROM medusa

Words nearby medusa

Other definitions for medusa (2 of 2)

Origin of Medusa

Words related to medusa

How to use medusa in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for medusa (1 of 2)

Derived forms of medusa

Word Origin for medusa

British Dictionary definitions for medusa (2 of 2)

Derived forms of Medusa

Scientific definitions for medusa

Cultural definitions for medusa