Orléans

American  

[awr-lee-uhnz, awr-ley-ahn] / ˈɔr li ənz, ɔr leɪˈɑ̃ /

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Loiret, in central France, SSW of Paris: English siege of the city raised by Joan of Arc 1428.

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Orléans ¹ British  

/ ɔrleɑ̃ /

noun

1. Charles (ʃarl), Duc d'Orléans. 1394–1465, French poet; noted for the poems written during his imprisonment in England; father of Louis XII

2. Louis Philippe Joseph (lwi filip ʒozɛf), Duc d'Orléans, known as Philippe Égalité (after 1792). 1747–93, French nobleman, who supported the French Revolution and voted for the death of his cousin, Louis XVI, but was executed after his son, the future king Louis-Philippe, defected to the Austrians

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Orléans ² British  

/ ɔːˈlɪənz, ɔrleɑ̃ /

noun

1. a city in N central France, on the River Loire: famous for its deliverance by Joan of Arc from the long English siege in 1429; university (1305); an important rail and road junction. Pop: 113 126 (1999)

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Example Sentences

William Glasdale, an English captain killed at Orléans, is best known for hurling abuse at Joan from his strongpoint, Les Tourelles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

This year’s guests include a delegation from Orléans, France.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

He was a talented musician, composer and fencer, forged high-profile friendships with Queen Marie Antoinette and Phillipe Egalite, Duke of Orléans, and fought in the French Revolution.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2023

The Chateau de Blois is notable in French history because in 1429 Joan of Arc stopped there for a blessing before defeating the British at Orléans.

From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2021

The Beauty Minister moves underneath a tapestry depicting an ancient map of Orléans.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton