Definition of herculean Herculean

/hɚkjuˈliʌn/ - [herkyuleeun] - her•cu•le•an

We found 9 definitions of herculean from 6 different sources.

What does herculean mean?

Adjective
herculean - displaying superhuman strength or power; "herculean exertions"
		powerful
		superhuman above or beyond the human or demanding more than human power or endurance; "superhuman beings"; "superhuman strength"; "soldiers driven mad by superhuman misery"
herculean - extremely difficult; requiring the strength of a Hercules; "a herculean task"
		difficult, hard not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure; "a difficult task"; "nesting places on the cliffs are difficult of access"; "difficult times"; "why is it so hard for you to keep a secret?"

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herculean (Adjective)
Of extraordinary might, power, size, etc. ; of or relating to Hercules in size or strength.
herculean (Adjective)
Requiring a huge amount of work; of extraordinary difficulty.

herculean (a.)
Requiring the strength of Hercules; hence, very great, difficult, or dangerous; as, an Herculean task.
herculean (a.)
Having extraordinary strength or size; as, Herculean limbs.

herculean
hėr-kū′lē-an, adj. of or pertaining to Hercules: extremely difficult or dangerous, as the twelve labours of the Greek hero Hercules: of extraordinary strength and size.—Hercules beetle, a gigantic Brazilian lamellicorn beetle, 6 in. long, with a long horn on the head of the male and a smaller one on the thorax; Hercules' choice, toil and duty chosen in preference to ease and pleasure—from a famous story in Xenophon's Memorabilia; Hercules club, a stick of great size and weight; Pillars of Hercules, the name given by the ancients to two rocks flanking the entrance to the Mediterranean at the Strait of Gibraltar