San Francisco

American  

[san fruhn-sis-koh, fran-] / ˌsæn frənˈsɪs koʊ, fræn- /

noun

1. a seaport in W California, on San Francisco Bay: earthquake and fire 1906; United Nations Conference 1945.

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San Francisco British  

/ ˌsæn frænˈsɪskəʊ /

noun

1. a port in W California, situated around the Golden Gate: developed rapidly during the California gold rush; a major commercial centre and one of the world's finest harbours. Pop: 751 682 (2003 est)

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San Francisco Cultural  

1. A city in northern California.

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A major West Coast intellectual center.

Also, a center of gay culture.

Known for its history of major earthquakes.

Site of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• San Franciscan
  adjective

Example Sentences

An effort in San Francisco to raise taxes on companies with highly paid executives has failed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The bill applies only to counties with at least 15 passenger rail stations, leaving eight: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Sacramento.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Politics in San Francisco have swung toward the center in recent years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

I've come to an industrial space in a tech-heavy area of San Francisco expecting to see a menacing humanoid robot solider doing something combat-like: the future of land-based warfare, perhaps.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

“But not in the shop. They’re only the managers. The owner lives in San Francisco, and he’s the one who makes all the hiring decisions. Don’t worry,” she adds when she sees my face fall.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy