What does "jordan" mean?
A vessel resembling a retort bulb or Florence flask with a truncated neck and flared mouth, used by medieval doctors and alchemists.
Jordan
/ˈd͡ʒɔːdən/ name, noun
name, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A vessel resembling a retort bulb or Florence flask with a truncated neck and flared mouth, used by medieval doctors and alchemists.
- Grammar: jordan is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: bedpan, brand, can, chamber.
- Usage evidence: We elected Mr Jordan chairperson.
How to use "jordan"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jordan" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jordan" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jordan" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jordan" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bedpan" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A vessel resembling a retort bulb or Florence flask with a truncated neck and flared mouth, used by medieval doctors and alchemists. obsolete
"Make a good lute... and þerwiþ daub þi Iordan al aboute... and putte al þi mater in þe Iordan and hange it ouer þe fier by þe necke þᵗ þe glas be almoost an hond brede fro þe coolis."
- 2 A chamber pot. obsolete
"2.Car. Why, you will allow vs ne're a Iourden, and then we leake in your Chimney: and your Chamber-lye breeds Fleas like a Loach."
Proper Noun
- 1 A placename:; A river in West Asia in the Middle East, that empties into the Dead Sea, flowing through Israel, the Golan Heights, the West Bank and Jordan. countable, uncountable
- 2 A placename:; A country in West Asia in the Middle East. Official name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Capital and largest city: Amman. countable, uncountable
"Early the next morning I met with King Hussein of Jordan and then drove to the airport with the shah. All three of us agreed that we ought to give Sadat our support, and on the basis for a Middle East peace."
- 3 A placename:; The name of other rivers around the world, listed under Jordan River (disambiguation). countable, uncountable
- 4 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Washington Township, Daviess County, Indiana. countable, uncountable
- 5 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Morgan Township, Owen County, Indiana. countable, uncountable
Show 21 more definitions
- 6 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Boone County, Iowa. countable, uncountable
- 7 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Fulton County, Kentucky. countable, uncountable
- 8 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Scott County, Minnesota. countable, uncountable
- 9 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; A neighbourhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. countable, uncountable
- 10 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Hickory County, Missouri. countable, uncountable
- 11 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; A small town, the county seat of Garfield County, Montana. countable, uncountable
- 12 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; A village in Onondaga County, New York. countable, uncountable
- 13 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Johnston County, North Carolina. countable, uncountable
- 14 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Linn County, Oregon. countable, uncountable
- 15 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; A town in Green County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 16 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Hull, Portage County, Wisconsin. countable, uncountable
- 17 A placename:; A number of places in the United States:; A number of townships in the United States, listed under Jordan Township. countable, uncountable
- 18 A placename:; A community in Lincoln, Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, Canada. countable, uncountable
- 19 A placename:; A small suburb of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England (OS grid ref SK4092). countable, uncountable
- 20 A placename:; An area of Yau Tsim Mong district, Kowloon, Hong Kong. countable, uncountable
"Man Wah Sun Chuen in Jordan is one of Hong Kong’s oldest private housing estates."
- 21 A placename:; Places in the Philippines:; A barangay of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. countable, uncountable
- 22 A placename:; Places in the Philippines:; A municipality, the capital of Guimaras, Philippines. countable, uncountable
- 23 A placename:; Places in the Philippines:; A barangay of Villaba, Leyte, Philippines. countable, uncountable
- 24 A unisex given name from Hebrew.; A male given name from Hebrew; in the Middle Ages given to children baptized with Jordan water brought by crusaders. countable, uncountable
"I call him Jordan and it will do. He has no other name before or after. What was there to call him, fished as he was from the stinking Thames? A child can't be called Thames, no and not Nile either, for all his likeness to Moses. But I wanted to give him a river name, a name not bound to anything, just as the waters aren't bound to anything."
- 25 A unisex given name from Hebrew.; A female given name from Hebrew, of mid-20th century and later usage. countable, uncountable
- 26 A surname transferred from the given name derived from the male given name. countable, uncountable
Example
"We elected Mr Jordan chairperson."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jordan"?
Common synonyms include: bedpan, brand, can, chamber, chamber pot, congress.
How do you use "jordan" in a sentence?
We elected Mr Jordan chairperson.
How do you pronounce "jordan"?
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒɔːdən/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin Iordanēs, from Ancient Greek Ἰορδάνης (Iordánēs), from Biblical Hebrew יַרְדֵּן (yardén, “Jordan (river)”). Doublet of Yarden. The area in Hong Kong is named after Jordan station, which is named after Jordan Road, which in turn is named after Sir John Jordan.
Etymology 2
From Middle English jordan, from Latin jurdanus, unattested outside of England and of uncertain etymology. Usually derived from a clipped form of Jordan bottle, supposedly a bottle of curative water brought back from the River Jordan by Crusaders and pilgrims to the Holy Land, but this seems unsupported in its actual attestations. Its use for chamber pots may derive from the alchemical device having been used to hold urine.