California

[kal-uh-fawrn-yuh, -fawr-nee-uh]

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).

California

/ 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

California

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.

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

Example Sentences

That includes $200 million to the California Public Utilities Commission for community solar systems, which would offer 20% monthly discounts on electricity bills to participating households primarily including lower- and middle-income families, state officials said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

California Attorney general filed a civil case against Shangri-La Industries in January 2024 seeking the return of more than $100 million in Project Homekey funds and asking the court to place seven properties in receivership.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Daniel Montenegro was filming a raid at a Van Nuys, California, Home Depot with other day-laborer advocates this summer when, he told ProPublica, he was tackled by several officers who injured his back.

Read more on Salon

After a decade, the marriage broke up, and Ms. King moved to join the musical scene in California.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An earlier lawsuit over the $100,000 fee for new visa applications was filed in federal court in California by a healthcare-staffing business and labor unions.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal