aswan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Proper noun, geographic reference)Formal, Academic, Geographical, Travel
Quick answer
What does “aswan” mean?
A city in southern Egypt, historically significant and a major administrative and tourist centre.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A city in southern Egypt, historically significant and a major administrative and tourist centre.
Refers to the geographic region surrounding the city, known for its dams (the Aswan High Dam and the older Aswan Dam), its Nile cataracts, and its archaeological sites.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Associated with ancient Egyptian history, modern engineering projects (the dams), and Nile River tourism.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in geographical, historical, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “aswan” in a Sentence
[located] near Aswan[travel] to/from Aswan[build] something in AswanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aswan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Aswan granite used for the obelisk is particularly durable.
- She studied Aswan development projects.
American English
- The obelisk was made from Aswan granite.
- The Aswan dam project was a major undertaking.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of tourism, construction, or infrastructure related to the dams.
Academic
Common in archaeology, Egyptology, geography, hydrology, and modern history texts.
Everyday
Used in travel discussions and general knowledge contexts.
Technical
Used in engineering and environmental studies regarding the dams and water management.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aswan”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aswan”
- Misspelling as 'Aswan' (incorrect capitalisation), 'Aswan' (missing 'a'), or 'Asswan' (double 's').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Aswan is the modern English name. 'Assuan' is an older European spelling/variant. 'Syene' is the ancient Greek and Roman name for the city.
Historically, it was a strategic frontier city and source of granite. In the 20th century, it became the site of major dams that control the Nile's flow, provide hydroelectric power, and enable irrigation, transforming Egypt's economy and environment.
The Aswan Dam (or Low Dam) was completed in 1902. The larger Aswan High Dam, located 6 km upstream, was completed in 1970. The High Dam created the massive Lake Nasser and provides greater flood control and power generation.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun (place name). It can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., Aswan pottery, Aswan climate).
A city in southern Egypt, historically significant and a major administrative and tourist centre.
Aswan is usually formal, academic, geographical, travel in register.
Aswan: in British English it is pronounced /æsˈwɑːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæs.wɑːn/ or /æsˈwɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From Cairo to Aswan (meaning: the length of Egypt)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Aswan sounds like 'a swan' on the Nile.
Conceptual Metaphor
Aswan as a 'gateway' to ancient Nubia and a 'linchpin' for modern Egyptian agriculture/water supply.
Practice
Quiz
What major hydrological project is most associated with Aswan?