# titan

/ˈtaɪtən/ (US) · /tˈaɪtən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. Greek mythology

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

one of a family of giant gods in ancient Greek stories who ruled the world before the Olympian gods.

For teachers: any of the primordial giant deities who preceded the Olympian gods and were eventually overthrown by them.

- In the old myths, the Titan Atlas was forced to hold up the sky on his shoulders.
- The poet drew a parallel between the suffering of the Titan Prometheus and the struggles of modern humanity.

### 3. astronomy

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the largest moon of the planet Saturn.

For teachers: the largest natural satellite of Saturn, notable for its dense atmosphere and nitrogen-rich composition.

- Scientists are interested in Titan because it has clouds and liquid on its surface.
- The Huygens probe successfully landed on Titan, providing the first detailed images of the moon's icy, methane-carved landscape.

## Examples

- Scientists study Titan to learn about the early history of Earth.
- The Huygens probe landed on Titan in 2005, sending back the first images of its icy, orange surface.
- While most moons are barren rocks, Titan possesses a complex nitrogen-rich atmosphere and a hydrological cycle based on liquid methane rather than water.

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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.