Save Type Island & Country Usage English Pronounced Pron. /seɪ.ˈlɑn/(American English) /si.ˈlɑn/(American English) /seɪ.ˈlɒn/(British English) /si.ˈlɒn/(British English) [key·simplify] Meaning & History Former name of the country of Sri Lanka. It is derived from Portuguese Ceilão, ultimately from a Pali form of Sanskrit सिंहल (siṃhala) meaning "lion-like". Related NamesFamily Tree·Details RootsiṃhaOther Languages & CulturesCeilão(Portuguese) Sinhala(Sanskrit)
