Australian city, founded 1788 and named for British Home Secretary Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (1733-1800). The family name (also Sidney) is literally "dweller by the well-watered land," from Old English sid "side" + ieg "island."
Largest city in Australia, located in the southeastern part of the country, surrounding Port Jackson inlet on the Pacific Ocean; the capital and largest city of New South Wales state; Australia's chief port and main cultural and industrial center.
Note: Sydney was founded in 1788 as Australia's first settlement for convicts from Britain.
Note: It was the site of the 2000 summer Olympic Games.