Harrison

IPA/hˈaɹɪsən/
KK[hˈɛrɪsən]IPA/hˈɛrɪsən/

Harrison — noun

1. Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), the twenty-third president of the United States,

1.nounB2
Definition

Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), the twenty-third president of the United States, who served from 1889 to 1893. He was the grandson of President William Henry Harrison and is known for signing the Sherman Antitrust Act into law and for expanding the U.S. Navy.

Example

Benjamin Harrison served as the twenty-third president of the United States from 1889 to 1893.

proper noun used with presidential term

The Benjamin Harrison home in Indianapolis is now a museum open to visitors year-round.

Common collocations
  • Harrison administration
  • President Harrison
  • Benjamin Harrison signed
  • Harrison's term

Usage Note

Often referred to simply as 'Harrison' in historical contexts about the late 19th-century presidency. Distinguished from his grandfather William Henry Harrison by the additional context 'Benjamin' or 'Grandson.'

2. Sir Rex Harrison (1908–1990), a British stage and film actor best known for play

2.nounB2
Definition

Sir Rex Harrison (1908–1990), a British stage and film actor best known for playing Professor Henry Higgins in the musical My Fair Lady, for which he won an Academy Award. He was famous for his elegant speaking voice and sophisticated comic style.

Example

Rex Harrison won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in My Fair Lady in 1965.

proper noun with award context

The British actor Rex Harrison began his career on the London stage in the nineteen-twenties.

Common collocations
  • Sir Rex Harrison
  • Rex Harrison starred
  • Rex Harrison played
  • Harrison's performance

Usage Note

Often called 'Sir Rex Harrison' after his knighthood in 1989. In film reviews and biographies, he is commonly identified by his full name to distinguish him from other famous Harrisons.

3. William Henry Harrison (1773–1841), the ninth president of the United States, wh

3.nounB2
Definition

William Henry Harrison (1773–1841), the ninth president of the United States, who served only one month in 1841 before dying of pneumonia. He is the shortest-serving U.S. president and is remembered for his military role in the Battle of Tippecanoe and his famous campaign slogan 'Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.'

Example

William Henry Harrison became the ninth president of the United States in March 1841.

proper noun with presidential title

Hassan learned that William Henry Harrison served the shortest term of any American president.

Common collocations
  • William Henry Harrison
  • President Harrison
  • Harrison's campaign
  • Harrison died

Usage Note

Frequently called 'William Henry Harrison' in full to distinguish him from his grandson Benjamin Harrison. In American history textbooks, he is noted for having the shortest presidency and for dying in office.

4. A village located on the shore of Long Island Sound in Westchester County, south

4.nounB1
Definition

A village located on the shore of Long Island Sound in Westchester County, southeastern New York, about twenty miles northeast of Manhattan. It is a suburban community with a population of roughly twenty-seven thousand.

Example

The village of Harrison lies on the shore of Long Island Sound in Westchester County.

geographical proper noun with location description

Niran took the train from Grand Central Terminal to the Harrison station last Saturday.

Common collocations
  • Harrison station
  • Harrison village
  • Harrison school district
  • downtown Harrison

Usage Note

When referring to the New York village, context usually makes the meaning clear. The name also appears in other U.S. place names such as Harrison County and Harrison Township.

Word family

  • Harrisonian
    adjectiveC2

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The surname Harrison comes from the medieval English given name Harry, which itself is a spoken form of Henry. The suffix '-son' means 'son of,' so Harrison literally means 'son of Harry.' The name Henry comes from the Germanic words 'heim' (home) and 'ric' (ruler, power), giving the overall meaning 'home ruler.' As a place name, Harrison was adopted from the surname, often named after individuals with that family name.