Bristol

American  

[bris-tl] / ˈbrɪs tl /

noun

1. a seaport in Avon, in southwestern England, on the Avon River near its confluence with the Severn estuary.

2. a city in central Connecticut.

3. a township in southeastern Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River.

4. a deepwater seaport in eastern Rhode Island.

5. a city in northeastern Tennessee, contiguous to but politically independent of Bristol, Virginia.

6. a city in southwestern Virginia, contiguous to but politically independent of Bristol, Tennessee.

7. a bi-state region comprising the twin cities of Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol, Virginia.

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Bristol British  

/ ˈbrɪstəl /

noun

1. a port and industrial city in SW England, mainly in Bristol unitary authority, on the River Avon seven miles from its mouth on the Bristol Channel: a major port, trading with America, in the 17th and 18th centuries; the modern port consists chiefly of docks at Avonmouth and Portishead; noted for the Clifton Suspension Bridge (designed by I. K. Brunel, 1834) over the Avon gorge; Bristol university (1909) and University of the West of England (1992). Pop: 420 556 (2001)

2. a unitary authority in SW England, created in 1996 from part of Avon county. Pop: 391 500 (2003 est). Area: 110 sq km (42 sq miles)

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Example Sentences

Stuart Wring, who runs Wrings Transport at Avonmouth in Bristol, says the price hikes have been "crazy".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Bristol Bears wing Millie David will win her first international cap against Wales in the Women's Six Nations on Saturday as England shake up their selection once more.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Bristol West paid out $52,268 to the group and an additional $34,000 to pay off a loan on one of the cars.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Despite being on their best unbeaten run of the season, could Forest really end up playing the likes of Bristol City and Real Madrid in the same week next season?

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

It was said that you could walk from Oxford to Bristol in one direction and London in the other, and never leave Jordan land.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman