Daedalus

noun

Dae·​da·​lus ˈde-də-ləs How to pronounce Daedalus (audio) ˈdē- How to pronounce Daedalus (audio)
: the legendary builder of the Cretan labyrinth who makes wings to enable himself and his son Icarus to escape imprisonment
Daedalian adjective
or Daedalean
di-ˈdāl-yən How to pronounce Daedalus (audio)

Examples of Daedalus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sam's memory—and her Charly persona—returns with a vengeance after she's tortured by a former target named Daedalus (David Morse). — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024 The Minotaur, a ferocious creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man, was trapped in a maze built by the Greek architect Daedalus. — Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Daidalos

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Daedalus was in 1546

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Cite this Entry

“Daedalus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Daedalus. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on Daedalus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Daedalus

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