siren

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noun si·ren \ˈsī-rən, for sense 3 also sī-ˈrēn\

Definition of siren

1 often capitalized : any of a group of female and partly human creatures in Greek mythology that lured mariners to destruction by their singing
2a : a woman who sings with enchanting sweetnessb : temptressc : temptation 2
3a : an apparatus producing musical tones especially in acoustical studies by the rapid interruption of a current of air, steam, or fluid by a perforated rotating diskb : a device often electrically operated for producing a penetrating warning sound an ambulance siren an air-raid siren
4 [New Latin, from Latin] : either of two North American eel-shaped amphibians that constitute a genus (Siren) and have small forelimbs but neither hind legs nor pelvis and have permanent external gills as well as lungs

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Examples of siren in a Sentence

the wailing of air-raid sirens
one of history's most famous sirens, Cleopatra charmed both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony

Recent Examples of siren from the Web

Delgado jumped a curb, made an improper turn, and led the officer on a chase onto Route 9 and then Route 148, ignoring the officers' lights and siren, police said.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Middletown Police Chase Ends With Suspect Naked In Apartment Bathroom", 19 June 2017
After pumping Smith’s chest with his hands a few times, Heaggan-Brown looks down at his hands and asks for gloves from the arriving officers as police sirens blare.

— ivan moreno, The Seattle Times, "Bodycam shows shooting of black man by Milwaukee officer", 15 June 2017
Here’s hoping Ashley — who has likewise directed shows out of town but seems committed to continue guiding the Playhouse — can resist Broadway’s siren song and keep making great theater in San Diego.

— james hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Tony Awards wrap: Ashley's achievement", 13 June 2017
Sirens test Exelon Generation will conduct its semi-annual, full volume test of the emergency warning sirens surrounding Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station on Wednesday, June 7,

— staff report, The Aegis, "Peach Botton to hold open house June 14, testing sirens Wednesday", 6 June 2017
A helicopter was seen landing on the hill while ambulance sirens were heard heading to the site of the explosions.

— sayed salahuddin, Washington Post, "At least 18 Afghans killed as multiple blasts target funeral for protester in Kabul", 3 June 2017
Within minutes of receiving the notification, the sound of sirens erupted on the street outside the apartment.

— william thornton, AL.com, "Alabamians a mile from London terror attack: 'It's unnerving'", 3 June 2017
The driver ignored the officer's lights and siren, police say, and a chase started.

— Post-Tribune, "Police policies guide officers' choices in chasing suspects", 2 June 2017
Police said the officer turned his squad car's sirens on and began chasing after the vehicles.

— alex v. hernandez, chicagotribune.com, "Franklin Park police investigating thefts at car rental businesses", 20 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'siren'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The sirens were a group of partly human female creatures that lured sailors onto destructive rocks with their singing. Odysseus and his men encountered the sirens on their long journey home from Troy. The only way to sail by them safely was to make oneself deaf to their enchanting song, so Odysseus packed the men's ears with wax, while he himself, ever curious, kept his ears open but had himself tied to the mast to keep from flinging himself into the water or steering his ship toward sure destruction in his desire to see them. A siren today is a sinister but almost irresistible woman. A siren song, however, may be any appeal that lures a person to act against his or her better judgment.

Origin and Etymology of siren

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French sereine, from Late Latin sirena, from Latin siren, from Greek seirēn

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

siren

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adjective si·ren \ˈsī-rən\

Definition of siren

: resembling that of a siren : enticing

First Known Use of siren

1568

SIREN Defined for English Language Learners

siren

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noun

Definition of siren for English Language Learners

: a piece of equipment that produces a loud, high-pitched warning sound
: a woman who is very attractive but also dangerous
Siren : one of a group of female creatures in Greek mythology whose singing attracted sailors and caused them to sail into dangerous water or toward rocks