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Empire State

Empire State

10 3.6
A nickname for the state of New York in the United States
  • proper noun
  • /ˈɛmpaɪər steɪt/
translation icon : Estado de Nueva York
  • 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

  • The Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in New York City, standing at over 1,400 feet.

  • Many tourists visit the Empire State Building each year to admire its iconic architecture.

  • This is the Empire State Building!

  • How about the top of the Empire State Building?

  • Now, I can see the Empire State Building if I stand on my bed.

  • 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

NY
vsEmpire State
178 1.0

A state in the northeast of the United States with capital Albany

is an informal nickname rather than a modern abbreviation
New York
vsEmpire State
168 1.0

A northeastern US state with Albany as capital and New York City as its largest city

is an informal nickname rather than the official state name
New York State
vsEmpire State
70 1.0

A state in the northeast of the United States with Albany as its capital

is an informal nickname rather than the official state name
N.Y.
vsEmpire State
1.0

A state in the northeast United States whose capital is Albany

is an informal nickname rather than a written abbreviation

Surface Forms

Morphology

empire + state

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.