Harlem

American  

[hahr-luhm] / ˈhɑr ləm /

noun

1. a section of New York City, in the NE part of Manhattan.

2. a tidal river in New York City, between the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, which, with Spuyten Duyvil Creek, connects the Hudson and East rivers. 8 miles (13 km) long.

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Harlem British  

/ ˈhɑːləm /

noun

1. a district of New York City, in NE Manhattan: now largely a Black ghetto

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Harlem Cultural  

1. Neighborhood of Manhattan.

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Discover More

During the 1920s, Harlem was the site of a great upsurge in black literature, music, and theater known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Mostly populated by African-Americans, Harlem has long been a center of black culture.

The area now contains a large Puerto Rican population and, after a period of economic decay, has experienced a revitalization.

Example Sentences

Mr. Bernard offers colorful descriptions of various classic pinball machines—such as Monaco, Gorgar and Harlem Globetrotters—and explains some of the jargon surrounding them: outlanes, drop targets, nudges and tilts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

This past year has seen several dazzling examples, including at the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Frick, but that of the New Museum is by far the most thrilling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

During her tenure, she shared the stage with a variety of co-hosts including Steve Harvey, Sinbad and Mo’Nique, introducing a range of musical acts at the historic theater in Harlem.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

"Mom, thank you for driving me back and forth to New York when we didn't have enough money to go through the Harlem tunnel, when we were looking for gas money, parking spaces," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

The apartments weren’t designed for that many, but that was what Harlem was about, working people doing the best they could.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers