León

Le·ón  (l-n)

1. A historical region and former kingdom of northwest Spain. United first with Asturias (eighth-ninth century), it was conquered by Castile in 1037, became independent in 1157, and was rejoined with Castile in 1230.

2. A city of central Mexico east-northeast of Guadalajara. It was founded in the 1570s and today is a commercial and industrial center in a rich mining area. Population: 1,140,000.

3. A city of western Nicaragua northwest of Managua. Founded in 1524 on Lake Managua, it was moved to its present site after a severe earthquake in 1610. Population: 139,000.

4. A city of northwest Spain at the foot of the Cantabrian Mountains south-southeast of Oviedo. Reconquered from the Moors in 882, it is now a popular tourist center. Population: 135,000.

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León (Spanish) [leˈɔn]

n

1. (Placename) a region and former kingdom of NW Spain, which united with Castile in 1230

2. (Placename) a city of NW Spain: capital of the kingdom of León (10th century). Pop.: 139 809 (1998 est.)

3. (Placename) a city in central Mexico, in W Guanajuato state: commercial centre of a rich agricultural region. Pop.: 1 019 510 (2000 est.) Official name León de los Aldamas [de los ˈaldamas]

4. (Placename) a city in W Nicaragua: one of the oldest towns of Central America, founded in 1524; capital of Nicaragua until 1855; university (1812). Pop.: 123 865 (1995)