ENGLISH
REFERENCE

zion

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈzaɪən// zion Literary

n. a name for a holy place or a perfect world where people live in peace. It often refers to Jerusalem or a spiritual home for people who have been through hard times.

n. a place of unity, peace, and freedom; specifically, the hill of Jerusalem on which the City of David was built. Often used metaphorically to represent a utopian community or the spiritual home of the Jewish people.


SIMPLE

The poet wrote about finding a path to Zion.

CONTEXTUAL

In many spiritual traditions, Zion represents a promised land where the weary can finally find rest and justice.

COMPLEX

The concept of Zion has evolved from a specific geographical location in Jerusalem to a broader symbol of liberation and spiritual homecoming within various religious and literary movements.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English Sion, from Old English Syon, from Ecclesiastical Latin Sīōn, from Koine Greek Σῑών (Sīṓn), from Biblical Hebrew צִיּוֹן (ṣiyyôn). Initial Z- was likely under influence from Early New High German Zion, itself influenced by the Ashkenazi pronunciation /t͡s/.

Usage

When referring to the specific hill or the city of Jerusalem, it is treated as a proper noun and capitalized.

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