Zion

[zahy-uhn]

noun

1. a hill in Jerusalem, on which the Temple was built (used to symbolize the city itself, especially as a religious or spiritual center).

2. the Jewish people.

3. Palestine as the Jewish homeland and symbol of Judaism.

4. heaven as the final gathering place of true believers.

5. a city in NE Illinois.

Zion

/ ˈzaɪən /

noun

1. the hill on which the city of Jerusalem stands

2. Judaism

   1. the ancient Israelites of the Bible

   2. the modern Jewish nation

   3. Israel as the national home of the Jewish people

3. Christianity heaven regarded as the city of God and the final abode of his elect

4. any form of social organization, way of life, or life after death regarded as an ultimate goal

5. 1. a religious community or its site, regarded as chosen by God and under his special protection

   2. an ideal theocratic community, esp any of the Christian Churches regarded as such a community

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zion¹

before 1000; < Hebrew sīyyōn; replacing Middle English, Old English Sion < Late Latin (Vulgate) Siōn < Greek (Septuagint) Seiṓn < Hebrew, as above

Example Sentences

Founded in 2007, Zion Church represents a particular concern for Chinese officials because of its dispersed presence in many cities, its online prayer groups and its members’ connections to Western Christians.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, meanwhile, has emerged as a steady presence after enduring a torrid time at last year's Asian Cup.

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“It’s not the easiest thing,” Chargers guard Zion Johnson said of the weekly — and sometimes quarterly — reconfigurations.

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Zion Godchaux said she also experienced intense, delayed mourning for her late husband, sometimes locking herself in her bedroom for days.

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A group of midsized banks saw their share prices tumble on October 16 after Zions Bancorp disclosed that it was pursuing litigation with a borrower over alleged fraud and would take a $50 million hit.

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Related Words

• Promised Land 
• immortality 
• nirvana 
• paradise