zion Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
    Sion.
    • the inhabitants of Jerusalem are personified as `the daughter of Zion'
  2. noun Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine
    Israel; State of Israel; Yisrael; Sion.
  3. noun an imaginary place considered to be perfect or ideal
    Utopia; Sion.

WordNet

Zi"on noun
Etymology
Heb. tsiyn, originally, a hill.
Definitions
  1. (Jewish Antiq.) A hill in Jerusalem, which, after the capture of that city by the Israelites, became the royal residence of David and his successors.
  2. Hence, the theocracy, or church of God.
  3. The heavenly Jerusalem; heaven.

Webster 1913