siren (ˈsaɪərən
)
Definitions
noun
- 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
- (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
- a woman considered to be dangerously alluring or seductive
- ((as modifier) ⇒
her siren charms
- 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 seirēnSynonyms
View thesaurus entryTranslations
- British English:
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
nf - French:
sirène
nf - German:
Sirene
nf - Chinese: 汽笛
n - Arabic: صَفَّارَةُ الْإِنْذَار
n - Portuguese: sirene
nf - Russian: сирена
nf - Croatian: sirena
nf - Czech: siréna
nf - Danish: sirene
nutr - Dutch: sirene
nf - Finnish: sireeni
n - Greek: σειρήνα
nf - Italian: sirena
nf - Japanese: サイレン
n - Korean: 경적
n - Norwegian: sirene
nm - Polish: syrena
nf - Brazilian Portuguese: sirene
nf - European Spanish:
sirena
nf - Swedish: siren
nutr - Thai: เสียงสัญญานเตือนภัย
n - Turkish: siren
n - Vietnamese: còi báo động
n
Usage examples
Somewhere below in the busy street he heard the wailing note of a police siren.
, 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.
, SHOOTING HISTORY: A Personal Journey (2004)