Detroit

American  

[dih-troit] / dɪˈtrɔɪt /

noun

1. a city in SE Michigan, on the Detroit River.

2. a river in SE Michigan, flowing S from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie, forming part of the boundary between the U.S. and Canada. About 32 miles (52 km) long.

3. the U.S. automobile industry.

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Detroit British  

/ dɪˈtrɔɪt /

noun

1. a city in SE Michigan, on the Detroit River: a major Great Lakes port; largest car-manufacturing centre in the world. Pop: 911 402 (2003 est)

2. a river in central North America, flowing along the US-Canadian border from Lake St Clair to Lake Erie

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Detroit Cultural  

1. Largest city in Michigan.

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Discover More

As the center of automobile production, it is often referred to as the “Motor City” or “Motown.”

Example Sentences

In 1913, Henry Ford reorganized his Detroit factory around a moving assembly line, slashing the Model T’s assembly time to 93 minutes from 12.5 hours.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

As a kid growing up in Windsor, Ontario, just across the river from Detroit, D.J.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic stunned Eastern Conference top seeds Detroit Pistons 112-101 to take a 1-0 lead in their seven-game series.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

After that, Stellantis hosts an investor day on May 21 near Detroit.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

In one day, my Aunt Fannie Mae went to heaven and I moved to Detroit.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson