California
Americannoun
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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.
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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).
noun
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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)
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an arm of the Pacific Ocean, between Sonora and Lower California
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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.)
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The likely first-round draft pick didn’t have to play for the Oilers in the Southern California Division I regional playoffs, let alone pitch.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
He famously said in 2020 that he would “own no house” and sold off several California properties, only to later buy homes in Texas.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026
Americans today likely don’t realize just how difficult it was for young men to take Horace Greeley’s advice and go west, especially to California.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
California man Cole Allen, 31, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to kill the president.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
After Carville, Joey moves to California and lives with friends as she looks for work.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
