Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A specific ancient monument: The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive bronze statue depicting the sun god Helios. It was constructed around 285 BC and stood near the harbor of the Greek island of Rhodes for approximately half a century until it was destroyed by an earthquake.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The Colossus of Rhodes was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • Historians debate the exact posture and location of the Colossus of Rhodes.

Advanced Usage

• "a colossus" (lowercase): Used metaphorically to describe a person or thing of great importance, power, or size, inspired by the statue.
  • The company became a colossus in the tech industry.

Variants and Related Words

• Colossus (noun, lowercase): Any statue of gigantic size; a thing or person of immense size or power.
  • The new skyscraper is a colossus of steel and glass.

Synonyms

• Giant statue
• Monumental sculpture
• Ancient wonder

Related Phrases

• One of the Seven Wonders: A common phrase used to describe the Colossus of Rhodes, placing it in its historical context.
  • The Colossus of Rhodes is the most famous of the lost Wonders.

Related Idioms

• To stand like a Colossus: To be overwhelmingly large, powerful, or influential. This idiom is directly derived from the statue.
  • The theory stood like a Colossus over the field for decades.

Noun

1. a huge bronze statue of the sun god Helios that was built around 285 BC and that stood beside the harbor entrance on the island of Rhodes for about 50 years before it was toppled by an earthquake