lyon

IPA/lˈaɪɒn/
KK[lˈaɪən]IPA/lˈaɪən/

lyon — noun

1. the surname of an American teacher who lived from 1797 to 1849 and started the f

1.nounB2
Definition

the surname of an American teacher who lived from 1797 to 1849 and started the first college in the United States that accepted only women students, later called Mount Holyoke College

Example

The professor told her class about Mary Lyon, who built the first women's college in 1837.

proper noun referring to a historical figure

Mount Holyoke's main building is named after Mary Lyon, reflecting her vision for women's education.

Common collocations
  • named after Mary Lyon
  • founder of Mount Holyoke
  • Mary Lyon's vision
Synonyms

Usage Note

A proper name referring specifically to the American educator Mary Lyon. Does not take articles ('the Mary Lyon') except when used as a modifier before a noun ('the Mary Lyon story'). Not a common noun — never pluralized in the biographical sense.

Common Mistakes

Mary Lyon was a famous lyon of education.
Mary Lyon was a famous pioneer in education.
'Lyon' (the surname) and 'lion' (the animal) are different words with different spellings.
I read about a Mary Lyon in my textbook.
I read about Mary Lyon in my textbook.
Biographical proper names do not take the indefinite article 'a.'

2. a large city in east-central France, positioned where the Saône River meets the

2.nounB1
Definition

a large city in east-central France, positioned where the Saône River meets the Rhône River, known as an important center for business, food, and culture

Example

Baraka took the high-speed train from Paris to Lyon for a weekend trip.

proper noun as a travel destination

Lyon is famous for its food markets, where people buy fresh cheese, bread, and wine.

Common collocations
  • in Lyon
  • from Lyon
  • Lyon's food market
  • the city of Lyon
Synonyms
  • France's second city

    a descriptive phrase based on Lyon's historical status as the second-largest urban area in France

Usage Note

The city name 'Lyon' does not take the definite article 'the' in English (never 'the Lyon'). The older English spelling 'Lyons' is still found in book titles and historical references but is now rare in modern usage. The adjective forms 'Lyonnais' and 'Lyonnaise' describe things from or relating to Lyon, especially in cooking (e.g., 'salade lyonnaise').

Common Mistakes

I visited the Lyon last summer.
I visited Lyon last summer.
City names do not take 'the' in English unless the article is part of the official name.
She moved to Lyons, France.
She moved to Lyon, France.
The modern English spelling of the French city is 'Lyon,' not 'Lyons.'

Word family

  • Lyonnais
    adjectiveC1
  • Lyonnaise
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

'Lyon' and 'Lyons' refer to the same French city but differ in register and time period. 'Lyon' is the modern standard spelling used in contemporary English, matching the French spelling. 'Lyons' is an older English variant found in 19th- and early 20th-century texts, brand names (e.g., 'Lyons tea'), and some traditional contexts — it is now rare in everyday use. 'France's second city' is a descriptive phrase rather than a direct name; it highlights Lyon's status after Paris by population and economic importance. In current writing, use 'Lyon' for the city and reserve 'Lyons' for historical references or proper nouns like the British company name. For example: 'She flew into Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport' (modern usage) vs. 'The Lyons silk trade was famous in the 1700s' (historical).

Lyon ↗LyonsFrance's second city

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the city of Lyon
  • Lyon's food market
  • Lyon's festival of lights

Phrases

  • named after Mary Lyon
  • the Mary Lyon story
  • founded by Mary Lyon

Prepositions

  • in Lyon
  • to Lyon
  • from Lyon
  • near Lyon

Etymology

GaulishLatinFrenchEnglish

The city name Lyon comes from the ancient name Lugdunum, a blend of the Celtic god Lugus (or Lug) and dunon, meaning 'hill fort' or 'stronghold.' Roman soldiers built the settlement on a hill above the river meeting point. The name evolved through Latin Lugdunum to Old French Leon, then to modern French Lyon. The English spelling 'Lyons' was common for centuries and still appears in historical writing. The surname Lyon — including that of educator Mary Lyon — likely traces back to the same French city name or, in some cases, to the Old French word 'lion' (the animal), adopted as a family crest or nickname.