Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • California: A state located on the West Coast of the United States of America, known for its large size, diverse geography, and major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
   • Chemical symbol for Calcium: A chemical element (symbol Ca) with atomic number 20. It is a soft, silvery-white alkaline earth metal.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (California):
  • She moved to CA for a new job.
  • The wildfires in CA have been devastating this season.
• Chemical symbol (Calcium):
  • Milk is a good source of Ca.
  • The chemical formula for limestone is CaCO₃.

Advanced Usage

• As an abbreviation in addresses: "CA" is the official two-letter postal abbreviation for the state of California.
  • Please ship the package to: 123 Main St, San Diego, CA 92101.
• In scientific contexts: "Ca" is used in formulas, equations, and nutritional labels to denote the element calcium.
  • The lab results showed elevated levels of Ca²⁺ ions.

Variants and Related Words

• California (n): The full name of the state.
• Californian (adj/n): Of or relating to California; a person from California.
• Calcium (n): The full name of the chemical element.

Synonyms

• For the state: Golden State (nickname), Calif. (alternate abbreviation).
• For the element: None; it is a specific chemical symbol.

Notes on Usage

• When used as the state abbreviation, "CA" is typically written in uppercase letters.
• When used as the chemical symbol, "Ca" is written with an uppercase 'C' and a lowercase 'a'.
• The meaning is almost always determined by context (geographical vs. scientific).

Noun

1. a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
2. a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust; an important component of most plants and animals