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Glite Dictionary
Washington D.C.

Washington D.C.

343 1.0
The capital city of the United States where the national government is based
  • proper noun
  • /ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən diː siː/
translation icon : Washington D. C.
  • Many important decisions are made in Washington D.C., the capital of the United States.
  • embassy in Washington D.C.
  • institute in Washington D.C.
  • press conference in Washington D.C.

Examples

  • U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth of Washington, D.C., has had plenty to say.

    Academic text (1999)

  • By Werner Gundersheimer. Werner Gundersheimer is director emeritus of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C.

    Academic text (2011)

  • We have a feed coming in from Washington, D.C.

    Double Team (1997)

  • Sir, Washington D.C. is beginning to question some of our activities.

    A Soldier's Revenge (2021)

  • The official transfer had been made in the safety of Washington, D.C., weeks ago.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Approximately twenty groups were selected to travel to Washington, D.C., and perform during the four days of the conference.

    Academic text (1999)

  • CONCERT AT THE CAPITOL: Leaders and Supporters of Music Celebrate in Washington, D.C. Arts Advocates Campaign for Federal Support

    Academic text (1999)

  • The term filled the cover letters and executive briefings I shared with lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

    Academic text (2011)

  • On August 14, 1862, Lincoln addressed a gathering of black freemen in Washington, D.C.

    Academic text (2011)

  • We gathered in the Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C., which had been newly redecorated for the occasion.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

Washington
vsWashington D.C.
∞ 1.0

The capital city of the United States in the District of Columbia

is the full form emphasizing the district and its government role
capital
vsWashington D.C.
604 2.7

The city where a country's government works

is the particular national seat that functions as the federal government's base
District of Columbia
vsWashington D.C.
28 3.5

A federal area in the eastern United States that contains the city Washington and is the nation's capital

is the common city name used to refer to that same area
federal district
vsWashington D.C.
12 6.0

An area set aside for the national government that is not part of any state

is the city serving that role within this country's specific federal territory
national capital
vsWashington D.C.
1 2.5

A city where a country's government and leaders work

is the specific national seat located in this country and district
DC
vsWashington D.C.
1 2.5

The city of Washington, the capital of the United States

is the longer official style that spells out the full place name
D.C.
vsWashington D.C.
2.1

A district of the United States that contains the capital city Washington

is the expanded name that appears in descriptive or official contexts

Surface Forms

Washington D.C. main

Morphology

Washington + D.C.

This is a compositional toponym: 'Washington' together with the abbreviation 'D.C.' (District of Columbia) directly denotes the U.S. capital/federal district. A B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the referent (the seat of the U.S. government); the phrase is non-idiomatic and cross-linguistically transparent.

Etymology

The city Washington D.C. was named for the country's first president, George Washington, and D.C. stands for District of Columbia, a special area set up for the national government. So, Washington D.C. is the 'capital' where the federal government meets and works.