Hector

UK: 'hector', 'Hector': /ˈhɛktə/ US: /ˈhɛktɚ/ ,(hek′tər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

Hec•tor  (hek′tər), n. 

1. Mythology [Class. Myth.] the eldest son of Priam and husband of Andromache: the greatest Trojan hero in the Trojan War, killed by Achilles.
2. (l.c.) a blustering, domineering person;
   a bully.
3. a male given name.

v.t. 

4. (l.c.) to treat with insolence;
   bully;
   torment:
   The teacher hectored his students incessantly.

v.i. 

5. (l.c.) to act in a blustering, domineering way;
   be a bully.

• Greek Héktōr, special use of adjective, adjectival héktōr holding fast
• Latin

Synonyms

• 4. torture, persecute; badger, harass.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Hector / ˈhɛktə/ noun

1. a son of King Priam of Troy, who was killed by Achilles

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

hec•tor /ˈhɛktɚ/  v. 

1. [~ + object] to harass (someone) by bullying:
   always hectoring his students to perform better.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hector / ˈhɛktə/ verb

1. to bully or torment

noun

1. Also : hectorer a blustering bully

Etymology: 17th Century: after Hector (the son of Priam), in the sense: a bully

ˈhectoring adjective

ˈhectoringly, ˈhectorly adverb

ˈhectorism noun

ˈhectorship noun