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

• Californian
  adjective

Example Sentences

A gallon of diesel cost $7.42 on average in California on Sunday, up from $5.10 before the war.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

“The Merage Flex MBA’s new tuition falls below the federal loan cap of $100,000, removing a critical financial barrier for working professionals across Southern California and beyond,” the university said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

“All of the electrons that flow across the transmission system in California could flow on this line,” Martin said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

In 2010, Southern California Edison removed about 40 high-voltage transmission towers from Chino Hills State Park after years of public opposition.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

At Edwards Air Force Base in California, Major Richard Heyser spent the afternoon of October 13 trying to get some sleep.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin