jordan
n. countablen. a country in the Middle East that shares borders with Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. It is famous for its ancient city of Petra and its desert landscapes.
n. a sovereign Arab kingdom in Western Asia, situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. When used as a proper name, it refers to the nation-state or the river forming its western border.
Many tourists visit Jordan to see the ancient ruins of Petra.
The government of Jordan has worked extensively to manage water resources in its arid climate.
Diplomatic relations in the Levant often hinge on the stability of Jordan, which serves as a critical mediator and host to significant refugee populations from neighboring conflicts.
From Latin Iordanēs, from Ancient Greek Ἰορδάνης (Iordánēs), from Biblical Hebrew יַרְדֵּן (yardén, “Jordan (river)”). Doublet of Yarden. The area in Hong Kong is named after Jordan station, which is named after Jordan Road, which in turn is named after Sir John Jordan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Always capitalized as it is a proper noun; typically used without an article unless referring to the Jordan River.
Last updated May 2, 2026