Venus

noun

Ve·​nus ˈvē-nəs How to pronounce Venus (audio)
1
: the Roman goddess of love and beauty compare aphrodite
2
: the planet second in order from the sun see Planets Table

Examples of Venus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For more reference on this, check which sign and astrological house Venus occupies in your birth chart. Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024 Researchers will be able to learn more about Venus’ volcanoes in the coming years. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2024 Looking to the future of solar system shows, Cooke suggested at the time that waiting until Sept. 8, 2040, for the rare alignment of Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars, will offer the best chances at views. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 28 May 2024 Since its dramatic ending, no other spacecraft has been dedicated to exploring Venus. Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 28 May 2024 But when joined with Tevin, Q, Venus, and Tiffany’s votes, that made five to Charlie’s three (from Hunter, Liz, and Soda). Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 May 2024 Legendary tennis player Venus Williams has been immortalized as a Barbie doll as Barbie continues to celebrate its 65th anniversary. Melissa Noel, Essence, 23 May 2024 Mattel is making nine new Barbie dolls that depict some of the world's most celebrated women athletes, including tennis star Venus Williams and Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 22 May 2024 Charlie, Tim, Venus, Liz and Hunter lost their balance shortly after transitioning their weight to a single foot, leaving Tiff and Kenzie standing on the orange team. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Venus.' 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

Latin Vener-, Venus, deified abstraction from an originally neuter common noun venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm"; akin to Sanskrit vanate "(s/he) likes, takes pleasure in," -vana- "loving," vāñchati "(s/he) desires, wishes," Old English wȳscan "to wish," wunian "to remain, dwell," Old Norse una "to be satisfied"

Note: Latin venus, as probably also Vedic Sanskrit vanas-, a hapax legomenon of uncertain meaning, is an s-stem derivative from a verbal base going back to Indo-European *wenH- "wish, desire," most likely distinct from *wen- "struggle, gain"; see win entry 1.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Venus was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Venus

Cite this Entry

“Venus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

Venus

noun
Ve·​nus ˈvē-nəs How to pronounce Venus (audio)
: the planet second in order from the sun see planet

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