California

American  

[kal-uh-fawrn-yuh, -fawr-nee-uh] / ˌkæl əˈfɔrn yə, -ˈfɔr ni ə /

noun

1. a state in the western United States, on the Pacific coast. 158,693 square miles (411,015 square kilometers). Sacramento. CA (for use with zip code), Cal., Calif.

2. Gulf of California, an arm of the Pacific Ocean, extending northwest between the coast of western Mexico and the peninsula of Baja California. About 750 miles (1,207 kilometers) long; 62,600 square miles (162,100 square kilometers).

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California British  

/ ˌkælɪˈfɔːnɪə /

noun

1. Abbreviation: Cal..   Calif..   CA.  a state on the W coast of the US: the third largest state in area and the largest in population; consists of a narrow, warm coastal plain rising to the Coast Range, deserts in the south, the fertile central valleys of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in the east; major industries include the growing of citrus fruits and grapes, fishing, oil production, electronics, information technology, and films. Capital: Sacramento. Pop: 35 484 453 (2003 est). Area: 411 015 sq km (158 693 sq miles)

2. an arm of the Pacific Ocean, between Sonora and Lower California

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California Cultural  

1. State in the Far West bordered by Oregon to the north; Nevada and Arizona to the east; Baja California, Mexico, to the south; and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Its capital is Sacramento, and its largest city is Los Angeles.

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Discover More

The state is famous for all the fads and ideas that originate there, many of which are considered strange or eccentric.

California is the most populous state. It is known for its earthquakes, high-tech (see also high-tech) industries (see Silicon Valley), and agriculture.

During the California gold rush tens of thousands of people poured into California in search of gold. It is sometimes called the “Golden State.” (See forty-niners.)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Californian
  adjective

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Becerra, a California native, served as the state's attorney general and as the nation's health secretary under Democratic President Joe Biden.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Steve Hilton, a former top adviser to ex-UK Prime Minister David Cameron and a former Fox News host, will advance as one of two candidates in the race for California governor, US media outlets project.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

“We’re all on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what the Supreme Court does,” said Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Jim Ross, a veteran California political consultant who didn’t work for either side of the proposal, said Lurie’s opposition made the measure a tough sell to voters given the mayor’s consistently high approval ratings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Radioactivity from the accident can be found in trace amounts as far away as California and Oregon.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland