n.
Pronunciation: ' sir- ē - ə
Function: geographical name
1 ancient region SW Asia bordering on the Mediterranean & covering modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, & Jordan
2 former French mandate (1920-44) comprising the Le · vant States \ l ə - ' vant \ (Syria, Lebanon, Latakia, & Jebel ed Druz), administrative capital Beirut, legislative capital Damascus
3 country SW Asia bordering on the Mediterranean; a republic 1944-58 & since 1961; a province of United Arab Republic 1958-61 capital Damascus area 71,498 sq mi (185,180 sq km ), pop 13,398,000
– Syr · i · an \ ' sir- ē - ə n \ adjective or noun