Philadelphia

American

[fil-uh-del-fee-uh] / ˌfɪl əˈdɛl fi ə /

noun

a city in SE Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River: Declaration of Independence signed here July 4, 1776.

Philadelphia British

/ ˌfɪləˈdɛlfɪə /

noun

a city and port in SE Pennsylvania, at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers: the fourth largest city in the US; founded by Quakers in 1682; cultural and financial centre of the American colonies and the federal capital (1790–1800); scene of the Continental Congresses (1774–83) and the signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776). Pop: 1 479 339 (2003 est)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Philadelphia Cultural

Largest city in Pennsylvania.

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Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love,” was founded in the late seventeenth century as a Quaker colony by William Penn.

Cultural center now and especially in colonial times. Its historical monuments include Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; the Liberty Bell; and Congress Hall.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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Philadelphia

“Spike Lee is over for a look and a chat. ... LeBron is taking the helicopter rides back and forth from Philadelphia to New York and engaged here in some front-row convo.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

LeBron James scored 14 points on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers as they defeated champions the New York Knicks on the NBA season's opening night.

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

On the night before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was in London and diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Questions about his leadership, aptitude, and attitude as the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback, and now about the severity of a blood clot and his commitment to the season amid roster challenges.

From Salon ● Oct. 21, 2026

After his Arctic journey, Kane came back to Philadelphia, his hometown.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023