# Sion

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sion
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a holy place or a perfect city that people dream of. It is often used in religious songs or old books to mean a place of peace and safety.

For teachers: a biblical name for Jerusalem or its citadel, often used figuratively to represent a heavenly city or a utopian community. When used in a modern context, it typically refers to a place of spiritual refuge or the Jewish homeland.

## Examples

- The choir sang about the journey to Sion.
- In many traditional hymns, the name Sion is used to represent a future state of perfect peace and divine presence.
- The poet used Sion as a powerful metaphor for an idealized society, contrasting its perceived holiness with the gritty reality of the industrial city.

## Usage notes

- Often spelled 'Zion' in modern English; the 'S' spelling is more common in older biblical translations and liturgical texts.

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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.