California

American  

[kal-uh-fawrn-yuh, -fawr-nee-uh] / ˌkæl əˈfɔrn jə, -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

• Californian
  adjective

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

California

In early September, the family delivered a petition to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and 10 days later, rallied outside Palo Alto City Hall.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

They have staged protests at the California attorney general’s office in Sacramento and at Palo Alto City Hall, holding “Justice for Irfan” and “We Want Answers” signs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

Beyond Tiznow, further consolation for California came earlier Saturday when the top jockey in the state, Juan Hernandez, got his first Cup win after 30 consecutive defeats.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration’s emergency request to force California to set aside the disputed ballots.

From Salon ● Oct. 31, 2026

But when she came back to the California Institute of Technology in early May and heard what was happening at Mount St. Helens, she knew she had to get up to the volcano.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

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