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 painting was still more dangerous, she argues, because of its status: It was part of a series commissioned by Spain’s King Philip II, who identified with Zeus.

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

Others then accused Musk and the blogger of racism and pointed out that Helen was a mythological figure, the daughter of Zeus who is born from a swan's egg.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

The flame ceremony was flanked by sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, the patron god of the ancient Olympics.

From Barron's ● Nov. 26, 2025

As Hercules had sworn to do while he was Omphale’s slave, no sooner was he free than he started to punish King Eurytus because he himself had been punished by Zeus for killing Eurytus’ son.

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