Rouen

American  

[roo-ahn, -ahn, rwahn] / ruˈɑ̃, -ˈɑn, rwɑ̃ /

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Seine-Maritime, in N France, on the Seine: famous cathedral; execution of Joan of Arc 1431.

2. one of a breed of domestic ducks resembling the wild mallard.

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Rouen British  

/ rwɑ̃ /

noun

1. a city in N France, on the River Seine: the chief river port of France; became capital of the duchy of Normandy in 912; scene of the burning of Joan of Arc (1431); university (1964). Pop: 106 592 (1999)

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Compare meaning

How does rouen compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Rouen vs. mallard

Example Sentences

She made her WTA Tour return at April's Rouen Open against Harriet Dart, where the Briton apologised for asking the umpire to tell her opponent to put on deodorant.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

British number four Harriet Dart caused a stink by telling her French opponent to put on deodorant at the Rouen Open.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, who has been plagued by injury since her 2019 win, is set to make her first appearance of the year at the Open de Rouen in France.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2025

The European clay circuit began more than a month ago for Osaka in Rouen, France, then took her to Madrid and Rome.

From Seattle Times • May 25, 2024

Failing that, he should have agreed to the election of the Cardinal of Rouen and not to that of the Cardinal of St Peter’s in Chains.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli