name · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ˈnaɪlɒn/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ˈnaɪlɑn/
rhymes with -aɪlɒn
CMU ARPABET:N AY1 L AA2 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
name
Meaning 1
New York-London, a reference to transatlantic life, people who spend time in both cities, or a transatlantic culture featuring both cities.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive, often
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
name
Meaning 2
Alternative letter-case form of NYLON.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Originally, the DuPont company trade name for polyamide, a copolymer whose molecules consist of alternating diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers bonded together; now generically used for this type of polymer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A stocking originally fabricated from nylon; also used generically for any long, sheer stocking worn on a woman's legs.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, in-plural, uncountable
Examples
I tore a hole in my nylons while walking home through the woods.
1970-1975, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure He put on make-up, nylons, panties, a dress.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A Queen's Counsel, King's Counsel or Senior Counsel who was appointed as a courtesy, rather than on merit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: by comparison to silk
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
a synthetic fabric
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fabric, cloth, material, textile
7
noun
Meaning 7
a thermoplastic polyamide; a family of strong resilient synthetic fibers
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Coined by the company DuPont in 1938. According to the company, the name was formed from the random generic syllable nyl- + the common fiber suffix -on (as in rayon and Dacron), said to be ultimately from cotton.
Across languages
Translations
91 source translations are retained for this English entry.
