# Irene

/aɪˈɹin/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/irene
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. female name

noun · CEFR B1

a common female first name that comes from the Greek word for peace.

For teachers: a feminine given name of Greek origin, popular in various European languages since the 19th century.

- My grandmother Irene was named after the Greek word for peace.
- The name Irene saw a significant surge in popularity during the late Victorian era, often chosen for its classical roots and peaceful connotations.

### 2. Greek goddess

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the Greek goddess of peace, often shown holding an olive branch.

For teachers: the personification of peace in Greek mythology, one of the Horae and equivalent to the Roman goddess Pax.

- In ancient art, Irene is often depicted with a sceptre or a torch.
- Classical scholars often compare the iconography of Irene with that of her Roman counterpart, Pax, to understand shifting cultural views on stability.

### 3. asteroid

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a large rock, called an asteroid, that orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter.

For teachers: a large main-belt asteroid, designated 14 Irene, discovered in 1851.

- Astronomers used telescopes to track the path of Irene through the night sky.
- The orbital elements of 14 Irene were calculated shortly after its discovery, confirming its position within the primary asteroid belt.

## Examples

- Astronomers use telescopes to track the path of Irene.
- The asteroid Irene is notable for its composition of silicate rocks and nickel-iron, typical of many objects in the main belt.
- Observations of Irene during its opposition provided researchers with valuable data regarding its rotational period and surface reflectivity, contributing to our broader understanding of asteroid classification.

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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.