Illinois

[ il-uh-noi or, sometimes, -noiz ]

noun,plural Il·li·nois

[il-uh-noi, -noiz]. /ˌɪl əˈnɔɪ, -ˈnɔɪz/.

a member of a confederacy of North American Indians of Algonquian stock, formerly occupying Illinois and adjoining regions westward.
the Algonquian language of the Illinois and Miami Indians.

Origin of Illinois

1715–25, Americanism;<French, earlier Eriniouai, Ilinoués, etc., from an unidentified Algonquian language, apparently literally, “one who sounds normal” (i.e., “a person who speaks an Algonquian language”), equivalent to the (unattested) Proto-Algonquian elements elen- “ordinary” + -we “make sound”

Words Nearby Illinois

Other definitions for Illinois (2 of 2)

Illinois²

[ il-uh-noi or, sometimes, -noiz ]

noun

a state in the central United States: a part of the Midwest. 56,400 sq. mi. (146,075 sq. km). Capital: Springfield. Abbreviations: IL (for use with zip code), Ill.
a river flowing southwest from northeastern Illinois to the Mississippi River: connected by a canal with Lake Michigan. 273 miles (440 km) long.

pronunciation note For Illinois

The pronunciation of Illinois with a final [z], /z/, which occurs chiefly among less educated speakers, is least common in Illinois itself, increasing in frequency as distance from the state increases.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Illinois in a sentence

In February, Democratic lawmakers in at least five states — Maryland, Rhode Island, Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky — introduced pro-statehood resolutions, according to a count by The Washington Post using a database of bills compiled by Quorum.
In faraway state houses, a battle brews over making D.C. the 51st state | Meagan Flynn | February 26, 2021 | Washington Post
The Terrapins added another layer to their recent dominance with a suffocating defensive effort that basically decided Wednesday’s game against Illinois in the first six minutes.
Maryland women’s basketball continues to tighten its defense and blasts Illinois | Kareem Copeland | February 18, 2021 | Washington Post
Yeah, Candace Parker was the obvious fit here, coming home after 17 years away from Naperville, Illinois.
The WNBA Teams To Watch Next Season | Howard Megdal | February 17, 2021 | FiveThirtyEight
Illinois has 1,289, including 512 that target employment, 177 political and civic regulations, 30 housing restrictions, and 50 policies that regulate family life.
'You Have One Minute Remaining.' Why I'll Always Drop Everything to Answer My Brother's Calls From Prison | Reuben Jonathan Miller | February 16, 2021 | Time
Rutgers rolled to a 7-1 start with victories over Illinois, Maryland, Purdue and Syracuse, only to drop five in a row.
NCAA tournament bracketology: After 30 years, Rutgers will get its chance at March Madness | Patrick Stevens | February 9, 2021 | Washington Post

Hart Electric LLC An Illinois- based manufacturer of electrical components, and H.I. Cable.
The 26 Next Hobby Lobbys | Abby Haglage | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Korte Luitjohan Contractors An Illinois-based full-service construction contractor.
The 26 Next Hobby Lobbys | Abby Haglage | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A bounty hunter told AFP that the suspected Texan could very well be Everett Livvix of Robinson, Illinois.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist | Creede Newton | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Added Kinzinger, the Illinois rep, "We have to level the playing field in terms of creating a no-fly zone."
U.S. Hasn’t Even Started Training Rebel Army to Fight ISIS | Tim Mak | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It was the moment that led Ryan to order a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois.
Wrongly Imprisoned for 15 Years Thanks to an Innocence Project | Jacob Siegel | November 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Tornadoes occurred in Alabama, Missouri and Illinois, accompanied with extensive damage to property.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
I will give a stone from either Wisconsin, Illinois, or Colorado for one from any other locality.
Harper's Young People, November 30, 1880 | Various
I changed to the Illinois edge of the island to see what luck I could have, and I warn't disappointed.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
The water was three or four foot deep on the island in the low places and on the Illinois bottom.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
I paddled over to the Illinois shore, and drifted down most a half a mile doing it.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

British Dictionary definitions for Illinois

Illinois

/ (ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ) /

noun

a state of the N central US, in the Midwest: consists of level prairie crossed by the Illinois and Kaskaskia Rivers; mainly agricultural. Capital: Springfield. Pop: 12 653 544 (2003 est). Area: 144 858 sq km (55 930 sq miles): Abbreviation: Ill., (with zip code) IL
a river in Illinois, flowing SW to the Mississippi. Length: 439 km (273 miles)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for Illinois

Illinois

[ (il-uh-noy) ]

State in the north-central United States bordered on the north by Wisconsin, the east by Indiana, the south by Kentucky, and the west by Missouri and Iowa. Its capital is Springfield, and its largest city is Chicago.

Notes for Illinois

Known as the “Land of Lincoln” because Abraham Lincoln began his political career there.

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