Seoul

[sohl, sool, sey-oo l; Korean syœ-oo l]

noun

a city in and the capital of South Korea, in the W part.

South Korea

noun

a country in E Asia: formed 1948 after the division of the former country of Korea at 38° N. 36,600 sq. mi. (94,795 sq. km). Capital: Seoul.Compare Korea.

Official name Republic of Korea.

Related formsSouth Korean, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for seoul

Contemporary Examples of seoul

In the last several months Pyongyang has launched a charm offensive directed at Moscow, Tokyo, and Seoul.
Why North Korea Released Two Americans
Gordon G. Chang
November 9, 2014
In the opening moments of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, players are introduced to 2054 Seoul.
Kevin Spacey Stars as a Frank Underwood-like Warmonger in ‘Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’
Alec Kubas-Meyer
November 8, 2014
She laughs as she recalls using the restroom in the Seoul airport.
How ‘Titanic ’Helped This Brave Young Woman Escape North Korea’s Totalitarian State
Lizzie Crocker
October 31, 2014
Three months later, they were handed over to South Korean officials and, on April 1, 2009, boarded a plane for Seoul.
How ‘Titanic ’Helped This Brave Young Woman Escape North Korea’s Totalitarian State
Lizzie Crocker
October 31, 2014
Lankov and Delury make a commonsense point, but Jang, a defector to Seoul, maintains that Kim was removed from power last year.
Has North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Been Toppled?
Gordon G. Chang
October 6, 2014

Historical Examples of seoul

Seoul spreads out over a plain, which extends to the mountains.
Travels in the Far East
Ellen Mary Hayes Peck
It was midnight one Sunday and we were waiting for a train down to Seoul.
Flash-lights from the Seven Seas
William L. Stidger
Mr. Choi arrived in Seoul on the 17th and gave this testimony.
Flash-lights from the Seven Seas
William L. Stidger
There are a number of gold mines around Seoul, which was why I was there.
Valley of the Croen
Lee Tarbell
Japanese steamers ply on the Han between Chemulpo and Seoul.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 8
Various

British Dictionary definitions for seoul

Seoul

noun

the capital of South Korea, in the west on the Han River: capital of Korea from 1392 to 1910, then seat of the Japanese administration until 1945; became capital of South Korea in 1948; cultural and educational centre. Pop: 9 592 000 (2005 est)

South Korea

noun

a republic in NE Asia: established as a republic in 1948; invaded by North Korea and Chinese Communists in 1950 but division remained unchanged at the end of the war (1953); includes over 3000 islands; rapid industrialization. Language: Korean. Religions: Buddhist, Confucianist, Shamanist, and Chondokyo. Currency: won. Capital: Seoul. Pop: 48 955 203 (2013 est). Area: 98 477 sq km (38 022 sq miles)Korean name: Hanguk

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for seoul

Seoul

South Korean capital, from Korean soul, literally "capital." It was the national capital from 1392 until Japanese annexation in 1910.

seoul in Culture

Seoul

[(sohl)]

Capital of South Korea and the largest city in the country, located in northwestern South Korea; Political, commercial, industrial, transportation, and cultural center of South Korea.

Note

Seoul became the capital in 1948, with the establishment of North Korea and South Korea.

Note

The city was heavily damaged during the Korean War.

Note

Home of the 1988 summer Olympic Games.

South Korea

Officially the Republic of Korea; located on the peninsula separating the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan, two arms of the Pacific Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Seoul.

Note

Supported by the United States, South Korea was created in 1948 after American and Soviet occupation zones established at the end of World War II had divided Korea into north and south.

Note

During the Korean War, noncommunist South Korea, aided by forces of the United Nations, and communist North Korea, aided by Chinese forces, fought from 1950 to 1953.

Note

During the 1980s, South Korea became a major industrial power in Asia.