Thales

American  

[they-leez] / ˈθeɪ liz /

noun

1. c640–546? b.c., Greek philosopher, born in Miletus.

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Thales British  

/ ˈθeɪliːz /

noun

1. ?624–?546 _bc , Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer, born in Miletus. He held that water was the origin of all things and he predicted the solar eclipse of May 28, 585 _bc

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Thales Scientific  

/ thā′lēz /

1. Greek philosopher who was considered by later Greek writers to be a founder of geometry and abstract astronomy. He is said to have accurately predicted a solar eclipse in 585 bce, although this and certain other stories associated with Thales have been questioned by modern scholars.

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Thales Cultural  

1. An ancient philosopher of Greece, called by some the first genuine Greek philosopher. He lived about 600 years before Jesus and about 150 years before Socrates.

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Discover More

Thales is known for predicting an eclipse and thus contributing to the idea that the heavens were separate from the gods.

Example Sentences

France’s Renault and Thales have partnered to produce a prototype of a tactical vehicle for land forces, as automakers gear up to collaborate with defense suppliers to play a larger role in weapons production.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

Airbus, along with Leonardo SpA and Thales, is likely to benefit from any European Space Agency collaboration with America on moon projects, he adds.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

A South African court ruled Thursday that a long-running arms deal corruption case against former president Jacob Zuma and French defence giant Thales can proceed, rejecting bids to delay the trial.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

These are made by the French firm Thales at its factory in east Belfast.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Thales, the first Greek astronomer, learned how to do this from the Babylonians, or perhaps through the Egyptians.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife