pegasus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, mythological, poetic, specialized (astronomy/military), formal.
Quick answer
What does “pegasus” mean?
A winged horse from Greek mythology, born from the blood of Medusa.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A winged horse from Greek mythology, born from the blood of Medusa.
1. A symbol of poetic inspiration, wisdom, or eloquence. 2. A constellation in the northern sky. 3. A literary or artistic journal. 4. A military vehicle or emblem (e.g., a tank, helicopter, or aircraft emblem).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. In military contexts, references (e.g., to the 'Pegasus Bridge' operation in WWII) are common in both.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to appear in classical or poetic contexts in British English. In American English, it may be slightly more prevalent in popular culture (e.g., film, video games).
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech for both, with comparable usage levels.
Grammar
How to Use “pegasus” in a Sentence
[Proper noun]the + Pegasusa + Pegasus (for a generic winged horse)Pegasus + of + [noun phrase] (e.g., Pegasus of poetry)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pegasus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- Pegasean (rare, poetic: relating to Pegasus)
- The imagery had a certain Pegasean grace.
American English
- Pegasus-like
- He made a Pegasus-like leap in his career.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear as a brand or company name (e.g., a delivery service implying speed). 'The new logistics software was our Pegasus, transforming our delivery times.'
Academic
Common in Classical Studies, Literature, Art History, and Astronomy. 'The poet invoked the image of Pegasus to symbolise transcendent thought.'
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in discussing mythology, astrology, or popular culture. 'My daughter loves stories about Pegasus.'
Technical
In astronomy: referring to the constellation. In military history: referring to operations or units (e.g., Pegasus Bridge).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pegasus”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pegasus”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pegasus”
- Capitalisation error: 'pegasus' should be capitalised when referring to the specific Greek mythological figure (Pegasus).
- Pluralisation: The standard plural is 'Pegasuses' or 'Pegasi', though 'Pegasi' is more common in specialist contexts.
- Using it as a common noun for any horse without the specific mythological connotation might seem odd.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the specific mythological creature or the constellation. It can be lowercased ('a pegasus') when used generically for any winged horse in fantasy contexts.
Both 'Pegasuses' and 'Pegasi' are accepted. 'Pegasi' is more traditional and common in scholarly or mythological contexts.
In myth, Pegasus's hoof created the Hippocrene spring on Mount Helicon, sacred to the Muses. Drinking from it granted poetic inspiration, making Pegasus a symbol of the poetic ascent.
Yes. A Pegasus is a winged horse from Greek myth. A unicorn is a horse-like creature with a single horn on its forehead, from European folklore. A winged unicorn is often called an alicorn.
A winged horse from Greek mythology, born from the blood of Medusa.
Pegasus is usually literary, mythological, poetic, specialized (astronomy/military), formal. in register.
Pegasus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɛɡəsəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɛɡəsəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To mount Pegasus (to become inspired for poetry)”
- “To have a Pegasus moment (a sudden burst of creative inspiration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PEG a horse to the sky with wings – PEG-AS-US (imagine 'us' riding a PEGged AScending horse).
Conceptual Metaphor
INSPIRATION/SPEED IS A WINGED HORSE; ELOQUENCE IS FLIGHT; MYTHOLOGY IS A SOURCE OF ELEVATED IDEAS.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'Pegasus' a proper technical term?