eureka

1 of 3

interjection

eu·​re·​ka yu̇-ˈrē-kə How to pronounce eureka (audio)
used to express triumph on a discovery

eureka

2 of 3

adjective

: marked by usually sudden triumphant discovery
a eureka moment

eureka

3 of 3

Greek verb

eu·​re·​ka yu̇-ˈrē-kä How to pronounce eureka (audio)
: I have found (it)
motto of California

Examples of eureka 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.
Adjective
Physicians describe not a eureka moment but a creeping realization, a longitudinal hunch. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2022 Standing in the living room of a tiny Tempe apartment is kind of a weird place to have a eureka moment. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 24 Nov. 2021 In 2014, siblings Yasameen and Sheilla Sajady had a eureka moment at the family lunch table. Nicole Hvidsten, Star Tribune, 7 May 2021 The eureka moment for negotiators working to keep Sherwin-Williams’ headquarters in Cleveland came nearly two months ago, Mayor Frank Jackson disclosed this week. Robert Higgs, cleveland, 21 Feb. 2020 See all Example Sentences for eureka 

Word History

Etymology

Interjection

Greek heurēka I have found, from heuriskein to find; from the exclamation attributed to Archimedes on discovering a method for determining the purity of gold — more at heuristic

First Known Use

Interjection

1603, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eureka was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near eureka

Cite this Entry

“Eureka.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eureka. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

eureka

interjection
eu·​re·​ka yu̇-ˈrē-kə How to pronounce eureka (audio)
used to express the thrill of discovery
Etymology

Interjection

from Greek heurēka "I have found it"

Geographical Definition

Eureka

geographical name

Eu·​re·​ka yu̇-ˈrē-kə How to pronounce Eureka (audio)
city and port on Humboldt Bay in northwestern California population 27,191

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