Janus

noun

Ja·nus ˈjā-nəs

: a Roman god that is identified with doors, gates, and all beginnings and that is depicted with two opposite faces

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1508, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Janus was in 1508

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Janus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Janus. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

bastion

Listen to the pronunciation of bastion

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Top 12 Sophisticated Compliments

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE