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

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

The net closed in on the Jabber Zeus crew, and an FBI-led operation called Trident Beach saw arrests in Ukraine and the UK.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025

Depending on the era and zeitgeist, the heavenly strangers gazing down upon us in judgment could be anyone from Zeus to “Dr. Who’s” Zygons, and their interest in us capricious or cruel or kind.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2025

The worst cheaters would have names carved beneath statues of Zeus near the Olympics venue, ensuring that they would live forever in infamy.

From Salon • Aug. 10, 2024

Zeus made him give them back, and he won Apollo’s forgiveness by presenting him with the lyre which he had just invented, making it out of a tortoise’s shell.

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