Hyades

plural noun

Hy·​a·​des ˈhī-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce Hyades (audio)
: a V-shaped cluster of stars in the head of the constellation Taurus held by the ancients to indicate rainy weather when they rise with the sun

Examples of Hyades in a Sentence

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From there, look about 15 degrees to the right of the Hyades to see the ancient light of the Pleiades star cluster, appearing as a hazy patch of light to the unaided eye from a dark sky location. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2026 The famous constellation Orion will be visible twinkling to its right throughout, with the stars of the Hyades and Pleiades open star clusters visible above in the constellation Taurus, the bull. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2025 Perhaps the most famous star cluster in the night sky, the Pleiades, will glitter in the night sky with 'the follower' Aldebaran not far behind it, with the Hyades cluster in Taurus. — Harry Bennett, Space.com, 30 Sep. 2025 The stars of the constellation Orion will be visible to the right of Gemini in the hours following midnight, with the Hyades and Pleiades open star clusters visible above. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025 The Hyades is visible as a sideways 'V' formation of stars that represents the bull's face to the right of its two horns, Elnath and Tianguan (Zeta Tauri). — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2025 However, the Hyades, located 151 light-years away, has fewer stars that are even more thinly spread out and is around 700 million years old. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Hyades was in the 14th century

Rhymes for Hyades

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hyacinth violet
Hyades
hyaena
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Cite this Entry

“Hyades.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Hyades. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Hyades

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Hyades

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