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

Rife’s Stay Golden Tour begins with a March 8 stop in Dallas and will include four stops across California.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith returned to California in “a bad mental spot” — depression runs in his family, he says — but he regained some stability working as a nurse and as a worship leader.

From Los Angeles Times

In a letter to city officials, the California Department of Housing & Community Development warned such additional restrictions could put the city out of compliance with state housing law.

From Los Angeles Times

She ultimately lost her case in the California Supreme Court, but the ordinance was repealed two years later.

From Los Angeles Times

There should be no place in the California Constitution for anything as morally offensive as forced labor.

From Los Angeles Times