English Dictionary

Definition of “siren

siren (ˈsaɪərənPronunciation for siren

Definitions

noun

  1. a device for emitting a loud wailing sound, esp as a warning or signal, typically consisting of a rotating perforated metal drum through which air or steam is passed under pressure
  2. (sometimes capital) Greek mythology one of several sea nymphs whose seductive singing was believed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks the nymphs inhabited
    1. a woman considered to be dangerously alluring or seductive
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ her siren charms 
  3. any aquatic eel-like salamander of the North American family any aquatic eel-like salamander of the North American family Sirenidae, having external gills, no hind limbs, and reduced forelimbs

Word Origin

C14: from Old French sereine,  from Latin sīrēn,  from Greek seirēn

Translations

  • British English: siren Pronunciation for siren A siren is a warning device which makes a long, loud, wailing noise. Most fire engines, ambulances, and police cars have sirens.We heard a police siren.ˈsaɪərən NOUN We heard a police siren.
  • Spanish: sirena Pronunciation for sirena nf
  • French: sirène Pronunciation for sirène nf
  • German: Sirene Pronunciation for Sirene nf
  • Chinese: 汽笛Pronunciation for 汽笛 n
  • Arabic: صَفَّارَةُ الْإِنْذَارPronunciation for صَفَّارَةُ الْإِنْذَار n
  • Portuguese: sirenePronunciation for sirene nf
  • Russian: сиренаPronunciation for сирена nf
  • Croatian: sirenaPronunciation for sirena nf
  • Czech: sirénaPronunciation for siréna nf
  • Danish: sirenePronunciation for sirene nutr
  • Dutch: sirenePronunciation for sirene nf
  • Finnish: sireeniPronunciation for sireeni n
  • Greek: σειρήναPronunciation for σειρήνα nf
  • Italian: sirenaPronunciation for sirena nf
  • Japanese: サイレンPronunciation for サイレン n
  • Korean: 경적Pronunciation for 경적 n
  • Norwegian: sirenePronunciation for sirene nm
  • Polish: syrenaPronunciation for syrena nf
  • Brazilian Portuguese: sirenePronunciation for sirene nf
  • European Spanish: sirena Pronunciation for sirena nf
  • Swedish: sirenPronunciation for siren nutr
  • Thai: เสียงสัญญานเตือนภัยPronunciation for เสียงสัญญานเตือนภัย n
  • Turkish: sirenPronunciation for siren n
  • Vietnamese: còi báo độngPronunciation for còi báo động n

Usage examples

  • Somewhere below in the busy street he heard the wailing note of a police siren.
    Barbara Erskine, HIDING FROM THE LIGHT (2002)
  • "There's been a lot of discussion over several years about using a siren or signal to move whales out of the way," he told New Scientist.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • Midfielder Brad Scott sent the Lions into halftime with a 46-point lead by kicking a goal after the siren.
    Courier, Sunday Mail (2004)
  • When the firefighters of New York hear the bell or the siren or the voice of the dispatcher, they know what's coming.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Somehow the wailing siren seemed to signal the presence of a larger threat at hand.
    Jon Snow, SHOOTING HISTORY: A Personal Journey (2004)

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