xian

[ Chinese shyahn ]
/ Chinese ʃyɑn /

noun

hsien.

Words nearby xian

xi'an, xi-c baryon, xia, xia gui, xiamen, xian, xiang, xiang jiang, xianggang, xiangtan, xikang

Definition for xian (2 of 3)

Xian
[ shee-ahn ]
/ ˈʃiˈɑn /

noun Pinyin.

a city in and the capital of Shaanxi province, in central China: capital of the ancient Chinese Empire.
Also Sian, Singan, Xi'·an.
Formerly Changan.

Definition for xian (3 of 3)

Shaanxi
[ shahn-shee ]
/ ˈʃɑnˈʃi /

noun Pinyin.

a province in N central China. 75,598 sq. mi. (195,799 sq. km). Capital: Xian.
Also Shensi.

British Dictionary definitions for xian

Shaanxi

Shensi

/ (ˈʃænˈʃiː) /

noun

a province of NW China: one of the earliest centres of Chinese civilization; largely mountainous. Capital: Xi'an. Pop: 36 900 000 (2003 est). Area: 195 800 sq km (75 598 sq miles)