eureka

¹

[yoo-ree-kuh, yuh-]

interjection

1. (initial capital letter),  I have found (it): the reputed exclamation of Archimedes when, after long study, he discovered a method of detecting the amount of alloy mixed with the gold in the crown of the king of Syracuse.

2. (used as an exclamation of triumph at a discovery.)

Eureka

²

[yoo-ree-kuh, yuh-]

noun

1. a city in NW California.

eureka

/ jʊˈriːkə /

interjection

1. an exclamation of triumph on discovering or solving something

Eureka!

1. A Greek word meaning “I have found it!” An exclamation that accompanies a discovery: “When she finally located the rare book, the scholar cried, ‘Eureka!’” (See Archimedes.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Eureka!¹

1560–70; < Greek heúrēka, 1st person singular perfect indicative of heurískein to find, discover

Word History and Origins

Origin of Eureka!¹

C17: from Greek heurēka I have found (it), from heuriskein to find; traditionally the exclamation of Archimedes when he realized, during bathing, that the volume of an irregular solid could be calculated by measuring the water displaced when it was immersed

Example Sentences

The same day, the Karolee was towed to Eureka, then docked in Humboldt Bay, according to the Coast Guard.

From Los Angeles Times

But as the heads of CPB, PBS and NPR have separately warned, the real loss will be in rural areas like Eureka, California’s KEET-TV.

From Salon

And Eureka is not a community with the same number of deep pockets as, say, New York, Los Angeles or Seattle.

From Salon

The hang-gliding simulation Soarin’ Over California was an instant hit, and “Eureka! A California Parade” was Disney theatricality at its weirdest, with floats that depicted Old Town San Diego, Watts and more.

From Los Angeles Times

Evacuation warnings have been issued for the area south of East Guiberson Road between Smith Canyon Road and Eureka Canyon Road.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amazement 
• astonishment 
• awe 
• bewilderment 
• consternation 
• curiosity 
• disappointment 
• jolt 
• miracle 
• revelation 
• shock 
• wonder