# Damascus

/dəˈmæskəs/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the city

noun · CEFR B1

the capital city of Syria and one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities in the world.

For teachers: the capital city of the Syrian Arab Republic, historically significant as a major cultural and commercial hub in the Levant.

- Damascus is famous for its ancient markets and beautiful historic buildings.
- Scholars often cite Damascus as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with evidence of settlement dating back several millennia.

### 2. Damascus steel

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of strong steel with wavy patterns, originally used for making sword blades.

For teachers: a type of steel characterized by distinctive patterns of banding and mottling reminiscent of flowing water, historically used for sword blades.

- The collector bought an antique knife made of beautiful Damascus steel.
- Modern bladesmiths often attempt to replicate the legendary strength and aesthetic appeal of original Damascus steel through pattern-welding techniques.

### 3. a sudden change of mind

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a moment when someone suddenly changes their mind or beliefs, often called a 'road to Damascus' moment.

For teachers: an allusion to the biblical conversion of Paul, used to describe a sudden and complete change in a person's beliefs or perspective.

- After seeing the damage to the forest, he had a road to Damascus moment and became an environmentalist.
- The CEO's sudden pivot toward ethical investment was described by colleagues as a road to Damascus conversion that surprised the entire board.

## Examples

- Damascus is a city with a very long and rich history.
- The ancient Old City of Damascus is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring narrow alleys and historic markets.
- Scholars often point to Damascus as a primary example of urban continuity, where layers of Hellenistic, Roman, and Islamic architecture coexist within the same city walls.

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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.