District of Columbia

American  

noun

1. a federal area in the eastern United States, on the Potomac, coextensive with the federal capital, Washington. 69 sq. mi. (179 sq. km). DC (for use with zip code), D.C.

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District of Columbia British  

noun

1. Abbreviation: D.C..   DC.  a federal district of the eastern US, coextensive with the federal capital, Washington. Pop: 564 326 (2003 est). Area: 178 sq km (69 sq miles)

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District of Columbia Cultural  

1. The district occupied entirely by Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States; bordered by Maryland to the north and Virginia to the south.

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The District of Columbia was established by acts of Congress in 1790 and 1791 on a site selected by George Washington.

Example Sentences

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District of Columbia

After the settlement was announced, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb called it a "monumental public health victory".

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

The case, which began as a coordinated, bipartisan effort involving attorneys general from 29 states, eventually expanded to encompass 47, as well as the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.

From Slate ● Aug. 26, 2026

Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia would ultimately join the DOJ’s lawsuit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026

The Constitution and federal law say new buildings may not be erected on public property in the District of Columbia “without the express authority of Congress.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

At the time of Walter's release, only ten states and the District of Columbia had laws authorizing compensation to people who have been wrongly incarcerated.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson