Kowloon

[ kou-loon ]

noun

1. a peninsula in southeastern China, opposite Hong Kong Island: a part of the Hong Kong special administrative region of China. 18 sq. mi. (47 sq. km).
2. a seaport on this peninsula.

Kowloon

/ ˈkaʊˈluːn /

noun

1. a peninsula of SE China, opposite Hong Kong Island: part of the former British colony of Hong Kong. Area: 10 sq km (3.75 sq miles)
2. a port in Hong Kong, on Kowloon Peninsula. Pop: 2 019 533 (2006 est)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Kowloon¹

First recorded in 1845–50; from Chinese (Guangdong dialect) Gáu Lùhng “Nine Dragons,” in allusion to the eight mountains in Hong Kong and Zhao Bing ( 1272–79 ), the last emperor of the Song dynasty

Example Sentences

There are two points of view on Hong Kong hotelling—those that prefer Kowloon and those that prefer Hong Kong Island.

From The Daily Beast

By day you'll be coerced to hike "the Peak" (I like the tram, thank you) for a quiet view of Kowloon.

From The Daily Beast

As the steamer comes to rest on the mainland side at Kowloon Wharf we must take a ferry over to the city.

From Project Gutenberg

This addition to Hong Kong is called Kowloon, and it has residential districts that range well into the hinterland.

From Project Gutenberg

The city retains its former name, Kowloon, but its business facilities are all under English management.

From Project Gutenberg

As they got closer to downtown Kowloon, however, Chinese predominated, with only a sprinkling of what were evidently Englishmen.

From Project Gutenberg

He drove them to the Kowloon ferry, but suggested that they take a walla-walla in view of their disreputable appearance.

From Project Gutenberg