siren: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; everyday, literary, and technical.
Quick answer
What does “siren” mean?
a device that makes a loud, prolonged warning sound, especially on an emergency vehicle or as a public alert.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a device that makes a loud, prolonged warning sound, especially on an emergency vehicle or as a public alert.
1. (mythology) A creature, often part woman and part bird, whose singing lured sailors to destruction. 2. A dangerously attractive or seductive woman. 3. (biology) A type of aquatic salamander.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Both use 'siren' for emergency vehicles and alarms. The figurative use ('siren song/call') is equally common.
Connotations
Identical connotations of danger, warning, and (in literary contexts) allure.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects for the core meaning.
Grammar
How to Use “siren” in a Sentence
The siren (subject) + verb (blared, sounded, wailed).Verb (hear, activate, sound) + the siren (object).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “siren” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The convoy sirened its way through the crowded streets.
- The factory will siren at midday for the test.
American English
- The ambulance sirened through the intersection.
- The plant sirens every Friday for the drill.
adjective
British English
- The siren call of the countryside was irresistible.
- He was drawn by her siren voice.
American English
- She ignored the siren song of fast food.
- The campaign used siren appeals to emotion.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically, e.g., 'the siren call of a risky investment.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism (mythology), biology, and urban studies (disaster preparedness).
Everyday
Common for describing emergency vehicle sounds or public warning systems.
Technical
Specific in engineering (acoustic signalling devices), biology (genus Siren), and safety protocols.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “siren”
- Confusing 'siren' (device) with 'cypher/cipher' (code).
- Using 'siren' for a simple car horn (a siren is a modulated, rising/falling tone).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's also the main term for public warning systems (e.g., tsunami, air-raid sirens) and has literary/biological meanings.
They are synonymous idioms meaning an alluring but dangerous temptation.
Yes, informally, meaning to move quickly with a siren sounding (e.g., 'the car sirened past').
In early Greek art, they were often bird-women. The association with mermaids (fish-women) developed later in folklore.
a device that makes a loud, prolonged warning sound, especially on an emergency vehicle or as a public alert.
Siren is usually neutral; everyday, literary, and technical. in register.
Siren: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪərən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪrən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “siren song/call”
- “like a siren”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SIRens SIRen loudly, like a SIR (police officer) needing attention.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A SOUNDING SIREN; TEMPTATION IS A SIREN'S SONG.
Practice
Quiz
In Greek mythology, what was the primary danger associated with sirens?