# Pandora

/pænˈdɔɹə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. Greek mythology

noun · CEFR B2

the first woman in Greek stories who opened a box and accidentally let all the world's problems escape.

For teachers: the first human woman in Greek mythology, created by Hephaestus, who opened a jar (often called a box) that released all the evils of humanity.

- In the old story, Pandora opened the box because she was curious about what was inside.
- The myth of Pandora serves as a classic cautionary tale regarding the dangers of unchecked curiosity and the origin of human suffering.

Teaching tip: Learners will most often encounter this name in the idiom 'to open Pandora's box', meaning to start a process that causes many unexpected problems.

### 2. astronomy

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small moon that travels around the planet Saturn.

For teachers: an inner satellite of Saturn that acts as a shepherd moon for the planet's F Ring.

- Scientists used the space probe to take clear photos of Pandora, one of Saturn's moons.
- Pandora is notable in orbital mechanics for its gravitational interaction with Prometheus, which helps maintain the stability of Saturn's thin F Ring.

### 3. a type of fish

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a silver or reddish sea fish found in the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

For teachers: any marine fish belonging to the genus Pagellus, particularly the common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus).

- The restaurant served grilled pandora with lemon and fresh herbs.
- The common pandora is a popular target for Mediterranean fisheries due to its delicate flavour and consistent market demand.

## Examples

- Pandora is one of the many moons orbiting Saturn.
- Astronomers study how Pandora and Prometheus interact to maintain the narrow shape of Saturn's F Ring through gravitational influence.
- The chaotic orbit of Pandora is largely a result of its gravitational resonance with the nearby moon Prometheus, leading to unpredictable changes in its orbital path over long periods.

---

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.