Babylon
[ bab-uh-luh n, -lon ]
/ ˈbæb ə lən, -ˌlɒn /
noun
an ancient city of SW Asia, on the Euphrates River, famed for its magnificence and culture: capital of Babylonia and later of the Chaldean empire.
any rich and magnificent city believed to be a place of excessive luxury and wickedness.
a city on S Long Island, in SE New York.
Definition for babylon (2 of 2)
Babylonia
[ bab-uh-loh-nee-uh, -lohn-yuh ]
/ ˌbæb əˈloʊ ni ə, -ˈloʊn yə /
noun
an ancient empire in SW Asia, in the lower Euphrates valley: its greatest period was 2800–1750 b.c. Capital: Babylon.
Example sentences from the Web for babylon
British Dictionary definitions for babylon (1 of 2)
Babylon
/ (ˈbæbɪlən) /
noun
the chief city of ancient Mesopotamia: first settled around 3000 bc
See also Hanging Gardens of Babylon
offensive
(in Protestant polemic) the Roman Catholic Church, regarded as the seat of luxury and corruption
derogatory
any society or group in a society considered as corrupt or as a place of exile by another society or group, esp White Britain as viewed by some West Indians
Word Origin for Babylon
via Latin and Greek from Hebrew
Bābhél; see
Babel
British Dictionary definitions for babylon (2 of 2)
Babylonia
/ (ˌbæbɪˈləʊnɪə) /
noun
the southern kingdom of ancient Mesopotamia: a great empire from about 2200–538 bc, when it was conquered by the Persians
Cultural definitions for babylon (1 of 2)
Babylon
[ (bab-uh-luhn, bab-uh-lon) ]
The capital of the ancient empire of Babylonia, which conquered Israel in the sixth century b.c. The Jews (see also Jews) were exiled to Babylon, which they found luxurious and corrupt. The prophet Daniel became a counselor to the king of Babylon (see the handwriting on the wall), and eventually the Israelites were allowed to return to their homeland. (See also Daniel in the lions' den.)
notes for Babylon
A “Babylon” is any place of sin and corruption.
Cultural definitions for babylon (2 of 2)
Babylon
[ (bab-uh-luhn, bab-uh-lon) ]
A city in ancient Mesopotamia, famed for its hanging gardens (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) and for the sensual lifestyle of its people.