Zion

/ˈzaɪən/

/ˈzaɪɒn/

Other forms: Zions

In the Hebrew Bible, the Land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem are both referred to as Zion. Other religions use the word Zion to mean "utopia" or "holy place."

Zion is a specific, historically important location — the name refers to both a hill in the city of Jerusalem and to the city itself — but it's also used in a general way to mean "holy place" or "kingdom of heaven." The root of Zion is the Hebrew Tsiyon, and while the word holds a special importance in the Jewish faith, it's also used by Mormons and Rastafarians, among other Christian groups, to mean "utopia."

Definitions of Zion

1. noun

   Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine
   synonyms: Israel, Sion, State of Israel, Yisrael

   example of:

   country, land, state

   the territory occupied by a nation
2. noun

   originally a stronghold captured by David (the 2nd king of the Israelites); above it was built a temple and later the name extended to the whole hill; finally it became a synonym for the city of Jerusalem
   “the inhabitants of Jerusalem are personified as `the daughter of Zion'”

   synonyms: Sion

   example of:

   hill

   a local and well-defined elevation of the land
3. noun

   an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
   synonyms: Sion, Utopia

   type of:

   fictitious place, imaginary place, mythical place

   a place that exists only in imagination; a place said to exist in fictional or religious writings