# Babylon

/ˈbæbəˌɫɑn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/babylon
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. ancient city

noun · CEFR B2

a famous ancient city in Iraq known for its great wealth and power in history.

For teachers: the ancient capital of Babylonia, situated on the Euphrates; often used to symbolize a city of immense wealth, luxury, or perceived vice.

- The ruins of Babylon are located about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad.
- Historians often describe Babylon as a center of scientific and cultural advancement in the ancient world, despite its biblical reputation for decadence.

### 3. corrupt society

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Dialect

a name for modern society or government when it is seen as greedy, unfair, or corrupt.

For teachers: in Rastafarian belief, a term for Western capitalist society and oppressive systems, contrasted with the spiritual ideal of Zion.

- He moved to the countryside to escape the stress and greed of Babylon.
- The artist's work explores the tension between the materialistic demands of Babylon and the search for spiritual truth.

## Examples

- The city center is a babylon of noise.
- The festival grounds became a babylon of music, food stalls, and dancing crowds.
- The sprawling metropolis stood as a modern babylon, where ancient traditions clashed with the relentless pace of global commerce.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.