Zeus

American  

[zoos] / zus /

noun

1. the supreme deity of the ancient Greeks, a son of Cronus and Rhea, brother of Demeter, Hades, Hera, Hestia, and Poseidon, and father of a number of gods, demigods, and mortals; the god of the heavens, identified by the Romans with Jupiter.

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Zeus British  

/ zjuːs /

noun

1. Roman counterpart: Jupiter. the supreme god of the ancient Greeks, who became ruler of gods and men after he dethroned his father Cronus and defeated the Titans. He was the husband of his sister Hera and father by her and others of many gods, demigods, and mortals. He wielded thunderbolts and ruled the heavens, while his brothers Poseidon and Hades ruled the sea and underworld respectively

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Zeus Cultural  

1. The chief of the Greek and Roman gods, who defeated the Titans to assume leadership of the universe. He lived atop Mount Olympus, from which he hurled thunderbolts to announce his anger. Despite his awesome power, he had a weakness for mortal women. (See Leda and the swan.)

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Compare meaning

How does zeus compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Jupiter vs. Zeus
• Zeus vs. Cronus
• Ares vs. Zeus

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Zeus

The explosion happened on a small road situated between two of Athens' most visited sites - the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

The painting portrays a moment in an ancient Cretan myth recounted in Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”: Zeus descends to Earth, transforms himself into a white bull and lolls among the herds belonging to the Phoenician king.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

Instead of Gods like Poseidon and Zeus playing an integral role in the story, they are left as unseen forces that motivate the characters’ actions.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

The angry sea god Poseidon is reduced to rumors; mighty Zeus withheld to a few well-timed thunderclaps.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Zeus saw her hunting in the train of Artemis and fell in love with her.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton