xian

[ Chinese shyahn ]

noun

Other definitions for Xian (2 of 2)

Xian

or Xi'·an

[ shee-ahn ]

nounPinyin.
  1. a city in and the capital of Shaanxi province, in central China: capital of the ancient Chinese Empire.

  • Formerly (Pinyin, Wade-Giles) Chang·an [chahng-ahn] /ˈtʃɑŋˈɑn/ .
  • Also (Older Spellings) Si·an [see-ahn, shee-], /ˈsiˈɑn, ˈʃi-/, Si·ngan [Chinese see-ngahn] /Chinese ˈsiˈŋɑn/ .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for Xi'an

Xi'an

Hsian or Sian

/ (ʃjɑːn) /


noun
  1. an industrial city in central China, capital of Shaanxi province: capital of China for 970 years at various times between the 3rd century bc and the 10th century ad; seat of the Northwestern University (1937); famous for Qin dynasty emperor Qinshihuang's tomb (207 bc) with 8000-strong terracotta army. Pop: 3 256 000 (2005 est): Former names: Changan, Siking

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