Empire State
47
3.6
- proper noun
- /ˈɛmpaɪər steɪt/
- From the observation deck of the Empire State Building, you can see the entire skyline of Manhattan.
- Empire State Building
- top of the Empire State
- Empire State Development Corporation
Examples
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The Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in New York City, standing at over 1,400 feet.
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Many tourists visit the Empire State Building each year to admire its iconic architecture.
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This is the Empire State Building!
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How about the top of the Empire State Building?
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Now, I can see the Empire State Building if I stand on my bed.
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The same way when I looked at the Empire State Building, I thought, "What a beautiful building," and not, "Whoa."
Academic text (2011) -
The Empire State Building was put up in one year and 45 days in the middle of a depression.
Academic text (2011) -
The Empire State Building and its Observatories remained open throughout, and continue to be open and operating.
Blog text (9) -
It offered a unique view of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings.
Fiction book (1996) -
I stood on top of the Empire State Building, swaying in the breeze, watching the people below so unawares.
Synonyms
847
1.0
A northeastern US state with Albany as capital and New York City as its largest city
151
1.0
A state in the northeast of the United States with capital Albany
115
1.0
A state in the northeast of the United States with Albany as its capital
80
1.0
A state in the northeast United States whose capital is Albany
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal combination of "empire" + "state" suggests a powerful or prominent state, so a B1 learner who knows both words could infer a general sense. However, the fixed, conventionalized use as a proper-name nickname for New York is culturally specific and not directly predictable from the constituents, so the relation is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Empire State is a nickname that one popular story says came from early leaders who saw New York as very rich and powerful, with big ports, trade and land, like a small 'empire' in the young country. That's why today Empire State means the state of New York.