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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Fixed Earth sign, symbolized by the mighty bull and ruled by Venus, is grounded and practical. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 26 May 2025 Saturn, in the constellation Aquarius, rises at 2:42 a.m. May 27, and Venus follows at 3:29 a.m. Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 26 May 2025 The May 14, 2025 Venus Aerospace test flight took place at Spaceport America next to the White Sand Missile Range in New Mexico and may be the world's first flight of an RDRE. David Szondy may 25, New Atlas, 25 May 2025 This occurs when Venus is the farthest from the sun on the sky's dome, according to EarthSky. Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Venus

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Venus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

Venus

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

More from Merriam-Webster on Venus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!