Jupiter

/ˈdʒupədər/

/ˈdʒupɪtə/

Other forms: Jupiters

In ancient Roman mythology, Jupiter was the most important god, ruling over the sky. The planet Jupiter, the largest in our solar system, is named for him.

Ancient Romans referred to Jupiter as the "king of the gods," the equivalent of the Greek god Zeus. As the god of the sky and thunder, he is often depicted holding a long thunderbolt. Jupiter is derived from roots meaning "sky father," making him the ideal namesake for the gas giant that's our biggest (and oldest) planetary neighbor.

Definitions of Jupiter

1. noun

   (Roman mythology) supreme god of Romans; counterpart of Greek Zeus
   synonyms: Jove

   examples:

   Jupiter Fulminator

   an epithet for Jupiter

   Jupiter Tonans

   an epithet for Jupiter

   Jupiter Pluvius

   an epithet for Jupiter

   Jupiter Optimus Maximus

   an epithet for Jupiter

   Protector of Boundaries

   an epithet for Jupiter

   example of:

   Roman deity

   a deity worshipped by the ancient Romans
2. noun

   the largest planet and the 5th from the sun; has many satellites and is one of the brightest objects in the night sky
   example of:

   Jovian planet, gas giant

   any of the four outermost planets in the solar system; much larger than Earth and gaseous in nature (like Jupiter)

   outer planet

   (astronomy) a major planet whose orbit is outside the asteroid belt (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto)

   superior planet

   any of the planets whose orbit lies outside the earth's orbit