Main Entry:

Syr·ia

Pronunciation:

\ˈsir-ē-ə\

Function:

geographical name

1 ancient region SW Asia bordering on the Mediterranean & covering modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, & Jordan 2 former French mandate (1920–44) comprising the Le·vant States \lə-ˈvant\ (Syria, Lebanon, Latakia, & Jebel ed Druz), administrative ∗ Beirut, legislative ∗ Damascus 3 country SW Asia bordering on the Mediterranean; a republic 1944–58 & since 1961; a province of United Arab Republic 1958–61 ∗ Damascus area 71,498 square miles (185,180 square kilometers), population 13,398,000

— Syr·i·an \ˈsir-ē-ən\ adjective or noun