london

IPA/ˈlʌn.dən/
KK[lˈʌndən]IPA/ˈlʌn.dən/

london — noun

1. the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom, built along the River Thames

1.nounA2
Definition

the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom, built along the River Thames in southern England; a major world centre for finance, culture, politics, and education.

Example

Emma always dreamed of visiting London to see the Changing of the Guard.

proper noun: capital city in tourism context

The flight from Tokyo to London takes about twelve hours.

proper noun: city as travel destination

Common collocations
  • visit London
  • live in London
  • move to London
  • fly to London
  • central London
Synonyms
  • the capital

    general reference to London as the UK seat of government

Usage Note

As a city name, London is usually used without an article: 'She lives in London,' not 'in the London.' When contrasting with other cities called London, write 'London, England' or 'London, UK.'

Common Mistakes

I am going to the London next week.
I am going to London next week.
Names of cities do not take a definite article.

2. John Griffith 'Jack' London (1876–1916), an American author famous for adventure

2.nounB2
Definition

John Griffith 'Jack' London (1876–1916), an American author famous for adventure novels set in harsh natural environments, including The Call of the Wild and White Fang.

Example

Linh wrote her school report on Jack London's novel The Call of the Wild.

proper noun: author name in literary context

Many readers enjoy Jack London's stories about surviving in the frozen Yukon wilderness.

Common collocations
  • Jack London's novels
  • Jack London's stories
  • read Jack London
  • by Jack London

Usage Note

Always refer to this author by his full pen name 'Jack London' on first mention — never just 'London,' which refers to the city. His best-known works deal with themes of survival, nature, and the conflict between civilisation and the wild.

Common Mistakes

London wrote The Call of the Wild.' (confusing the writer with the city).
Jack London wrote The Call of the Wild.
Always use the full name 'Jack London' to avoid ambiguity with the city.

3. a city in southeastern Ontario, Canada, located on the Thames River, about halfw

3.nounB1
Definition

a city in southeastern Ontario, Canada, located on the Thames River, about halfway between Toronto and Detroit.

Example

Adaeze studies at the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada.

proper noun: Canadian city for geographic disambiguation

The Thames River in London, Ontario was named after the river in England.

Common collocations
  • London, Ontario
  • London, Canada
  • live in London, Ontario

Usage Note

To avoid confusion with London, UK, always specify 'London, Ontario' or 'London, Canada' in writing. The city is named after the British capital and shares several street and river names with it.

Common Mistakes

She moved to London.' (ambiguous — could mean the UK or Canadian city).
She moved to London, Ontario.
Always include the province or country for disambiguation.