California

[ kal-uh-fawrn-yuh, -fawr-nee-uh ]

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

/ ˌkælɪˈfɔːnɪə /

noun

1. 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) AbbreviationCal.Calif.with zip codeCA
2. Gulf of California
   an arm of the Pacific Ocean, between Sonora and Lower California

California

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 .

Notes

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 Words From

• Cali·fornian adjective noun

Example Sentences

California students’ test scores rose across math, English and science with big gains for low-income students.

From Los Angeles Times

By seismologist Lucy Jones’ count, Southern California has experienced 15 independent seismic sequences so far this year in which there have been at least one magnitude 4 or higher earthquake.

From Los Angeles Times

University of California San Diego geneticists have now developed a solution to this concern.

From Science Daily

Every election, the prickly Lake County registrar follows California’s litany of voting laws and certifies thousands of ballots by the time she is required to.

From Los Angeles Times

Revelations of the incident have set off a firestorm, both in Washington and among the members of the California Federation of Republican Women.

From Los Angeles Times