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Glite Dictionary
September 11

September 11

3 3.8
A day in 2001 when terrorists attacked the United States, destroying the World Trade Center and damaging the Pentagon
  • proper noun
translation icon : 11 de septiembre
  • As we write this editorial, our nation is still reeling in profound shock from the unspeakable tragedies of September 11, 2001.
  • September 11 terrorist attacks
  • events of September 11
  • September 11 terrorist

Examples

  • The resultant widespread discontent fuels terrorism—a reality brought home to the developed world on September 11, 2001.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The event was canceled after the tragic events of the terrorist attacks on September 11.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The report did not take into account economic factors following the September 11 World Trade Center tragedy.

    Academic text (2001)

  • In light of September 11, this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The World Trade Center burns on the morning of September 11; according to an engineer, the buildings held up well under the fierce assault.

    Academic text (2001)

  • To support music educators responding to the events of September 11, 2001, MENC offers several resources and lesson plans.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The terrorist attacks that rocked the United States on September 11 opened a new chapter in the country's relations with the outside world.

    Academic text (2001)

  • On Tuesday, September 11, 2001—a date that surely everyone on earth will remember forever—

    Academic text (2001)

  • The magnitude of the horror that befell the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, appeared for a moment to embarrass and silence the drummers.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The terrorist attacks on September 11 resulted in the loss of nearly 3,000 lives.

Synonyms

Sept. 11
vsSeptember 11
18 4.4

A day in 2001 when terrorists attacked New York and Washington

is the full date wording used instead of a shortened label
September 11 attacks
vsSeptember 11
5 3.4

Terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 using hijacked planes

is the day label focusing on the date rather than on the attacks
9/11
vsSeptember 11
1 4.4

Terrorist attacks on September 11 2001 in the US when hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center and Pentagon

is the full date phrasing used rather than the numerical shorthand
9-11
vsSeptember 11
1 3.5

Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 in the United States when hijacked planes hit important buildings

is the full date wording used instead of the short hyphenated label
event of 9/11
vsSeptember 11
1 4.6

Terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 that killed many people and changed world politics

is the specific day label focusing on the attacks themselves rather than consequences
Sep 11
vsSeptember 11
4.4

The day when terrorists used hijacked planes to attack the United States in 2001

is the full spelled-out date used instead of the shortened form

Surface Forms

September 11 main

Morphology

September + eleven

Although 'September 11' is compositionally a month + day and thus identifiable as a date, the specific meaning referring to the 2001 terrorist attacks is a culturally-specific historical reference that cannot be derived from the constituent words alone. A B1 learner who knows 'September' and 'eleven' will recognize a date but will not reliably infer the event meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

September 11 comes from the date of the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, when planes taken by terrorists hit the World Trade Center towers in New York and damaged the Pentagon. Because that day was so terrible and changed many lives, September 11 now means that event and the yearly time people spend remembering it, often called '9/11'.