eureka

1 of 3

interjection

eu·​re·​ka yu̇-ˈrē-kə 

—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 

: I have found (it)

—motto of California

Examples of eureka in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Kids Definition

eureka

interjection

eu·​re·​ka yu̇-ˈrē-kə 

—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 

city and port on Humboldt Bay in northwestern California population 27,191