# pantheon

/ˈpænθiˌɑn/ (US) · /pˈɑːnθɪən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pantheon
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the Roman temple

noun · CEFR B2

the famous circular temple in Rome built for all the gods.

For teachers: the specific circular Roman temple dedicated to all the gods in 27 BCE and rebuilt around 125 CE.

- We visited the Pantheon in Rome to see the light coming through the roof.
- The Pantheon remains one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome, renowned for its massive concrete dome and central oculus.

### 2. a group of gods

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

all the gods of a specific religion or culture.

For teachers: the collective set of deities belonging to a particular mythology or religion.

- Zeus was the most powerful god in the Greek pantheon.
- Scholars often compare the Norse pantheon with the deities of ancient Egypt to find common mythological themes.

### 3. honoured people

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a group of people who are the most famous or respected in their field.

For teachers: a metaphorical group or classification consisting of the most illustrious or highly regarded individuals in a specific category.

- She has earned her place in the pantheon of great jazz singers.
- The author's latest novel secures his position within the pantheon of twentieth-century literary giants.

## Examples

- She has earned her place in the pantheon of great writers.
- The scientist was finally inducted into the national pantheon of inventors for her work on renewable energy.
- While the Greek pantheon is dominated by the twelve Olympians, many local cults maintained their own distinct hierarchies and rituals for lesser-known deities.

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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.