Hades

noun

Ha·​des ˈhā-(ˌ)dēz How to pronounce Hades (audio)
1
: the Greek god of the underworld
2
: the underground abode of the dead in Greek mythology
3
: sheol
4
often not capitalized : hell sense 1a

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In Greek mythology, Hades is both the land of the dead and the god who rules there. Hades the god (who the Greeks also called Pluto) is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon, who rule the skies and the seas. The realm called Hades, where he rules with his wife Persephone, is the region under the earth, full of mineral wealth and fertility and home to dead souls. Hades today is sometimes used as a polite term for Hell ("It's hotter than Hades in here!").

Examples of Hades in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Olympian legends — including Hades and the thunder god Zeus — now rule the Island in otherworldly rage. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 8 Mar. 2024 Fortnite also hinted at the Chains of Hades being another power added on later in the season. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Even playing games like Hades through the Steam Link app (with my PC connected via Wi-Fi) felt surprisingly natural. Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 4 Mar. 2024 Still, the kids plunge into the Underworld to confront Hades (Jay Duplass), then reemerge after realizing Ares (Adam Copeland), the god of war, has conspired with the titan lord Kronos (Nick Boraine) to end the rule of the Olympians. Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024 Here are the Pandora’s Box murals that will be seen in the game, which include Zeus, Ares, Cerberus and Hades, with the theory being that Hades may be the main villain of this season. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Fewer still ride that lightning all the way to Cooperstown, through Hades and back, spitting nails with every step. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2024 By comparison with the immortal gods, even the loftiest mortals are losers in the long run (as Achilles realizes in Hades). Robert Pogue Harrison, The New York Review of Books, 15 Feb. 2024 Saar will discuss her past and current work, including her seminal 2016 piece, Hades D.W.P. II, which is in the Crocker’s collection. Sarah Murphy, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Hades.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek Aidēs, Āidēs, Haidēs

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hades was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near Hades

Cite this Entry

“Hades.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hades. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hades

noun
ha·​des
ˈhād-(ˌ)ēz
Etymology

Greek Haidēs, god of the underworld, abode of the dead in Greek mythology

More from Merriam-Webster on Hades

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