Babylon

American  

[bab-uh-luhn, -lon] / ˈbæb ə lən, -ˌlɒn /

noun

1. an ancient city of SW Asia, on the Euphrates River, famed for its magnificence and culture: capital of Babylonia and later of the Chaldean empire.

2. any rich and magnificent city believed to be a place of excessive luxury and wickedness.

3. a city on S Long Island, in SE New York.

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Babylon British  

/ ˈbæbɪlən /

noun

1. the chief city of ancient Mesopotamia: first settled around 3000 _bc See also Hanging Gardens of Babylon

2. offensive  (in Protestant polemic) the Roman Catholic Church, regarded as the seat of luxury and corruption

3. derogatory  any society or group in a society considered as corrupt or as a place of exile by another society or group, esp White Britain as viewed by some West Indians

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Babylon ¹ Cultural  

1. The capital of the ancient empire of Babylonia, which conquered Israel in the sixth century b.c. The Jews (see also Jews) were exiled to Babylon, which they found luxurious and corrupt. The prophet Daniel became a counselor to the king of Babylon (see the handwriting on the wall), and eventually the Israelites were allowed to return to their homeland. (See also Daniel in the lions' den.)

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Babylon ² Cultural  

1. A city in ancient Mesopotamia, famed for its hanging gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and for the sensual lifestyle of its people.

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Discover More

A “Babylon” is any place of sin and corruption.

The Jews (see also Jews) were taken captive into Babylon in the sixth century b.c. (See also under “The Bible.”)

Etymology

Origin of Babylon

via Latin and Greek from Hebrew Bābhél ; see _Babel

Example Sentences

"It's a fascinating hymn that describes Babylon in all its majesty and gives insights into the lives of its inhabitants, male and female," he explained.

From Science Daily

One is that in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon 2,500 years ago, an ounce of gold bought 350 loaves of bread.

From MarketWatch

In their book “Invading Babylon: The 7 Mountain Mandate,” Wallnau and Johnson explicitly call for Christian leadership as the only antidote to perceived moral decay and spiritual darkness.

From Salon

The Mono County district attorney’s office said at the time it charged the “Spoils of Babylon” actor with two misdemeanors: disorderly conduct involving alcohol and possession.

From Los Angeles Times

David Gray is a British singer-songwriter best known for his breakthrough album, White Ladder, which featured the hit single Babylon.

From BBC