sirène

siren, mermaid

noun see-REHN Less Common

Origin: Latin Sirena, from Greek Seirēn

Usage Note

Sirène covers both the mythological mermaid/siren and any modern alarm siren (police, ambulance). Context disambiguates: la sirène des pompiers is the fire engine siren, while une sirène de la mer is a mermaid. The feminine form is always used.

Examples

"La sirène de l'ambulance retentissait dans la rue."

Natural Translation

The ambulance siren was blaring in the street.

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