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).

---

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

---

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.

---

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 trial pitting two founders of OpenAI - Sam Altman and Elon Musk - against each other has opened in California, with the sides presenting duelling narratives about the company's history and obligations to consumers.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

California drivers who are caught motoring at speeds of more than 100 mph will now face disciplinary actions imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles — including potentially losing their driving privileges.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

A California judge initially blocked the move, but the government is appealing the decision and fighting to have the punishment upheld in a separate case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

He would remain under court supervision in North Carolina, the judge said, and could only travel to parts of North Carolina, New York, and California.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

While William Faulkner sweated in California trying to imagine what their lives must be like, hundreds of young airwomen were flying and fighting and dying over the battlefields of the Soviet Union.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein