ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pantheon

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈpænθiˌɑn// UK //pˈɑːnθɪən// pan·theon

n. a group of very famous or important people in a certain field. It can also mean all the gods of a specific religion or culture.

n. a group of particularly illustrious or notable people; also, the collective deities of a specific religion or people. Often used metaphorically to describe the highest tier of achievement in a profession.


SIMPLE

She has earned her place in the pantheon of great writers.

CONTEXTUAL

The scientist was finally inducted into the national pantheon of inventors for her work on renewable energy.

COMPLEX

While the Greek pantheon is dominated by the twelve Olympians, many local cults maintained their own distinct hierarchies and rituals for lesser-known deities.

Origin

From Latin Pantheon, from Ancient Greek Πάνθειον (Pántheion, “a temple of all gods”), neuter of πάνθειος (pántheios, “of or common to all gods”), from παν- (pan-, “all, everything”) + θεῖος (theîos, “of or for the gods”), from θεός (theós, “god”).

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of' to specify the group being honored.

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