Janus

noun

Ja·​nus ˈjā-nəs How to pronounce Janus (audio)
: a Roman god that is identified with doors, gates, and all beginnings and that is depicted with two opposite faces

Examples of Janus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Robin Elledge is an in-demand leadership and team coach, speaker, consultant and founder / CEO at Janus Coaching + Consulting. Robin Elledge, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 The BlackRock analysts join top executives at some of the largest firms, including Janus Henderson Group Plc, Franklin Resources Inc., T. Rowe Price Group Inc. and Neuberger Berman, in emphasizing the role of active management in current markets. Silla Brush, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024 An attorney for Hussey and Whiting, as well as reps for the defendants — Paramount, Criterion Collection and Janus Films, which owns Criterion — did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 Experts noted that the engraving lacks a connection to Christianity, and instead might be a reference to Janus, a Roman god with two faces. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2024 Other points of interest Edward Yang retrospective (Janus Films) Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang, who died in 2007 at age 59, is getting a retrospective from the American Cinematheque, with screenings at the Egyptian, Aero and Los Feliz 3. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2024 January was named for Janus, a mythological king of Rome who was two-faced. Dorothy Dworkin, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024 Here’s to January, named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, and February, a nod to februum, with its ancient rites of purification. Danny Heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Jan. 2024 January was named for the Roman god Janus, whose two faces look both forward and back. Mo Rocca, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Janus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1508, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Janus was in 1508

Dictionary Entries Near Janus

Cite this Entry

“Janus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Janus. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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