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
From the M-W Editors
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
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Despite damage to the starboard paddle box, the captain managed to steer the ship back to Dover, where its arrival was heralded by the sound of sirens from ships all over Dover Harbor.
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He was treated by paramedics who took him away in an ambulance, without using lights or siren, the newspaper said.
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Putney said Barker had his sirens and lights on, and was traveling through a green light.
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The shooting happened around 1 a.m. on February 12 after authorities say the trooper, who is white, observed Scott driving erratically and tried to pull him over with his siren and flashing lights.
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Ron Dunbar, who live across the street from the house that caught fire in the 15500 block of South Hamlin Avenue, said he was awakened by fire engine sirens about 6:15 a.m. Monday.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
First Known Use of siren
1568
SIREN Defined for English Language Learners
siren
playDefinition of siren for English Language Learners
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: a piece of equipment that produces a loud, high-pitched warning sound
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: a woman who is very attractive but also dangerous
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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
SIREN Defined for Kids
siren
playDefinition of siren for Students
: a device that makes a loud warning sound an ambulance siren
Learn More about siren
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See words that rhyme with siren Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for siren Spanish Central: Translation of siren Nglish: Translation of siren for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of siren for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about siren
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