# ISIS

/ˈaɪsəs/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. militant group

noun · CEFR B2

Stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. A violent militant group that controlled parts of the Middle East.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. A Salafist jihadist group and former unrecognised proto-state that follows a fundamentalist doctrine.

- The news report discussed the rise and fall of ISIS in the region.
- International coalitions were formed to counter the territorial expansion of ISIS across the Levant during the mid-2010s.

### 2. Egyptian goddess

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an ancient Egyptian goddess of magic and motherhood, often shown with a throne on her head.

For teachers: a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world as the ideal mother and wife.

- The temple was built to honour the goddess Isis and her husband Osiris.
- The cult of Isis became remarkably popular in the Roman Empire, with sanctuaries dedicated to her found as far north as Britain.

### 3. river in Oxford

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect

the name used for the River Thames as it flows through the city of Oxford in England.

For teachers: the local name for the River Thames between its source and its confluence with the Thame at Dorchester.

- The university rowing teams practice on the Isis every morning.
- The annual regatta on the Isis attracts spectators from across the county to watch the college crews compete.

### 4. type of coral

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of coral that has hard white parts joined by flexible dark parts.

For teachers: any gorgonian coral of the genus Isis, characterised by a jointed axis of stony calcareous nodes and horny internodes.

- The scientist studied the growth patterns of Isis coral in the deep ocean.
- The skeletal structure of the genus Isis is unique among octocorals for its alternating segments of calcium carbonate and proteinaceous material.

## Examples

- Ancient Egyptians built many temples to honor the goddess Isis.
- Archaeologists recently discovered a small statue of Isis buried near the entrance of the tomb.
- The cult of Isis eventually spread beyond the borders of Egypt, gaining significant popularity throughout the Roman Empire as a mystery religion focused on rebirth and protection.

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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.