siren
noun
si·ren
| \ ˈsī-rən
, for sense 3 also sī-ˈrēn\
, for sense 3 also sī-ˈrēn\
Definition of siren
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
often capitalized
: any of a group of female and partly human creatures in Greek mythology that lured mariners to destruction by their singing
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 disk
b
: 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
siren
adjective
si·ren
| \ ˈsī-rən
\
\
Definition of siren (Entry 2 of 2)
: resembling that of a siren : enticing
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Synonyms for siren
Synonyms: Noun
enchantress, femme fatale, seductress, temptress
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Examples of siren in a Sentence
Noun
the wailing of air-raid sirens one of history's most famous sirens, Cleopatra charmed both Julius Caesar and Mark AntonyRecent Examples on the Web: Noun
To untutored ears, gqom can sound gritty, with its apocalyptic sirens and ribcage-rattling bass. — Kate Hutchinson, New York Times, "Sho Madjozi’s Mixed Up, Pan-African Rap," 9 Aug. 2019 The club jam, with its police sirens and talked-through lyrics, never quite stuck. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "The Definitive Ranking of Every Single Real Housewives Song," 5 Aug. 2019 Hamil then rolled up her window and drove off, prompting the officer to run to his own car in pursuit of her with his sirens on. — Doha Madani, NBC News, "Body camera video shows Oklahoma woman hit with stun gun after kicking officer," 1 Aug. 2019 The patrol car had its siren and lights on, police say. — Cliff Pinckard, cleveland.com, "Mentor patrol car involved in crash while transporting prisoner," 4 July 2019 The Courier Journal reported in April that Deputy Jeremy Johnson chased a suspected heroin dealer into Fayette County on a rainy night, realizing in midpursuit that his siren wasn’t working. — Andrew Wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "Police can be sued for harming bystanders during high-speed chases, high court rules," 14 June 2019 Witnesses reported seeing the squad’s emergency lights flashing and hearing its siren prior to the collision, police said. — Susan Demar Lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Will County sheriff's deputy involved in crash," 3 July 2018 When deputies arrived and turned their sirens on, the woman took off on foot, while Berson and the other man fled west on I-94 in the U-Haul. — Adriana Ramirez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha man shot and wounded by deputy during chase after stealing from Delafield Kohl's, police say," 3 July 2018 When detectives turned on their sirens and returned to the woods near the area where Shriver went missing, Shriver came out from a wooded area about a mile south of the location where her vehicle was stuck, deputies said. — Kevin Williams, ajc, "Missing Florida woman found alive in woods 4 days after her car stalled," 26 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Emergency vehicle drivers face greater traffic in the city, more soundproofed cars and drivers who sometimes wear earbuds while driving, which often necessitate more siren use. — Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, "New York City Council Members Want to Dial Down Sirens," 13 Feb. 2019These 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.
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More Definitions for siren
siren
noun
English Language Learners Definition of siren
: a piece of equipment that produces a loud, high-pitched warning sound
: a woman who is very attractive but also dangerous
: 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
See the full definition for siren in the English Language Learners Dictionary
siren
noun
si·ren
| \ ˈsī-rən
\
\
Kids Definition of siren
: a device that makes a loud warning sound
an ambulance siren
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