Kazan

American  

[kuh-zan, kuh-zahn, kuh-zahn] / kəˈzæn, kəˈzɑn, kʌˈzɑn /

noun

1. Elia 1909–2003, U.S. film and stage director and novelist, born in Turkey.

2. a city in and capital of the Tatar Autonomous Republic in the SE Russian Federation in Europe, near the Volga River.

3. a river in S Nunavut, Canada, flowing N and NE to Baker Lake. 455 miles (732 km) long.

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Kazan ¹ British  

/ -ˈzɑːn, kaˈzanj, kəˈzæn /

noun

1. a city in W Russia, capital of the Tatar Autonomous Republic on the River Volga: capital of an independent khanate in the 15th century; university (1804); a major industrial centre. Pop: 1 108 000 (2005 est)

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Kazan ² British  

/ kəˈzɑːn /

noun

1. Elia (ˈiːljə), real name Elia Kazanjoglous 1909–2003, US stage and film director and writer, born in Turkey. His films include Gentleman's Agreement (1947) and On the Waterfront (1954) for both of which he won Oscars, and East of Eden (1955).

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Example Sentences

So in 1999, Elia Kazan was given a lifetime achievement award.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

"I am returning to the big ice," the skater from Kazan announced on Telegram earlier this month, her formerly brunette hair now streaked with blonde highlights.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

Zoe Kazan created a stir this week by candidly discussing her grandfather, Elia Kazan, and his decision to name actors who had been fellow communists.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2025

Elsewhere, a gas storage site near Kazan was struck in a drone attack in the southwestern region of Tatarstan, local officials said, without reporting any casualties.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2025

I want also to marry; but instead, I am taken and sent to Kazan, to be a soldier for six years.

From What Shall We Do? by Tolstoy, Leo, graf