siren

[ sahy-ruhn ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. one of several sea nymphs, part woman and part bird, who lure mariners to destruction by their seductive singing.
2. a seductively beautiful or charming woman, especially one who beguiles men:

   a siren of the silver screen.

   Synonyms: vamp, temptress, seductress

3. an acoustical instrument for producing musical tones, consisting essentially of a disk pierced with holes arranged equidistantly in a circle, rotated over a jet or stream of compressed air, steam, or the like, so that the stream is alternately interrupted and allowed to pass.
4. an implement of this kind used as a whistle, fog signal, or warning device.
5. any of several aquatic, eellike salamanders of the family Sirenidae, having permanent external gills, small forelimbs, and no posterior limbs.

adjective

1. of or like a siren.
2. seductive or tempting, especially dangerously or harmfully:

   the siren call of adventure.

verb (used without object)

1. to go with the siren sounding, as a fire engine.

verb (used with object)

1. to allure in the manner of a siren.

siren

/ ˈsaɪərən /

noun

1. a device for emitting a loud wailing sound, esp as a warning or signal, typically consisting of a rotating perforated metal drum through which air or steam is passed under pressure
2. sometimes capital Greek myth one of several sea nymphs whose seductive singing was believed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks the nymphs inhabited
3. 1. a woman considered to be dangerously alluring or seductive
   2. ( as modifier )

      her siren charms

4. any aquatic eel-like salamander of the North American family Sirenidae, having external gills, no hind limbs, and reduced forelimbs

Other Words From

• siren·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of siren¹

1300–50; Middle English sereyn < Old French sereine < Late Latin Sīrēna, Latin Sīrēn < Greek Seirḗn

Word History and Origins

Origin of siren¹

C14: from Old French sereine, from Latin sīrēn, from Greek seirēn

Example Sentences

A Brooklyn native, Ka was best known for channeling his personal battles and feelings into conceptual songs, including “Conflicted,” “Mourn at Night” and “Sirens.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sirens continued to sound throughout the day across northern Israel and interceptor rockets from Israel’s Iron Dome air defence system were seen streaking into the sky.

From BBC

The attack happened in Siren, Burnett County, on 6 September, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

From BBC

Sirens sounded in northern Israel again on Sunday, and the military said dozens of rockets fired from Lebanon were intercepted.

From Los Angeles Times

Additionally, Starbucks introduced the Siren System, new technology that helps eliminate long customer wait times for cold drinks.

From Salon