# Apis

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apis
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a sacred bull that people in ancient Egypt worshipped. It was seen as a living god and a symbol of strength.

For teachers: the sacred bull of Memphis in ancient Egyptian religion, regarded as an incarnation of the god Ptah and later Osiris. When capitalised, it refers to the specific deity or the physical animal chosen to represent him.

## Examples

- The ancient Egyptians worshipped Apis as a god.
- Archaeologists discovered a massive granite sarcophagus in the Serapeum, which was used to bury the sacred Apis bull.
- The cult of Apis represented one of the most significant animal-based religious traditions in the Nile Valley, bridging the gap between the physical world and the divine through a living vessel.

## Usage notes

- Usually capitalised as a proper noun; refers to a specific mythological and historical figure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.