mythology

[ mi-thol-uh-jee ]

noun

, plural my·thol·o·gies.

1. a body of myths, as that of a particular people or that relating to a particular person:

   Greek mythology.

2. myths collectively.
3. the science or study of myths.
4. a set of stories, traditions, or beliefs associated with a particular group or the history of an event, arising naturally or deliberately fostered:

   the Fascist mythology of the interwar years.

mythology

/ mɪˈθɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. a body of myths, esp one associated with a particular culture, institution, person, etc
2. a body of stories about a person, institution, etc

   the mythology of Hollywood

3. myths collectively
4. the study or collecting of myths

mythology

1. The body of myths belonging to a culture . Myths are traditional stories about gods and heroes. They often account for the basic aspects of existence — explaining, for instance, how the Earth was created, why people have to die, or why the year is divided into seasons. Classical mythology — the myths of the ancient Greeks and Romans — has had an enormous influence on European and American culture.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mythology¹

1375–1425; late Middle English mythologie < Late Latin mȳthologia < Greek mȳthología. See mytho-, -logy

Example Sentences

Winning over audiences to these stories requires striking a balance between clarity and complexity without oversimplifying its dizzily complex politics and mythology.

From Salon

There is a lot of back and forth about the polygamous history of Mormonism and, increasingly, the perils of believing in one religion over another when they share similar mythologies.

From Los Angeles Times

This is how he gaslights routinely in politics, rarely engaging directly with the right-wing mythologies he taps into, but freely improvising his own fantasy extensions.

From Salon

It captures the depth of rootedness and cultural ancestry, tradition and mythology,” said Frederick Luis Aldama, a professor at the University of Texas who has written extensively about Latinos in comics.

From Los Angeles Times

In Greek mythology, the Minotaur — with the head of a bull and body of a man — was imprisoned at the center of a labyrinth in Crete and ate anyone who couldn’t find their way out.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belief
• legend
• lore
• tradition