Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The federal district containing the capital city of the United States, Washington: "District of Columbia" refers to the specific territory, not a state, that was established to serve as the permanent national capital. It is coextensive with the city of Washington.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The District of Columbia was founded in 1790.
  • She lives and works in the District of Columbia.
  • The laws in the District of Columbia are unique because it is a federal district.

Advanced Usage

• "The District": A common shortened, informal name for the District of Columbia.

  • He moved to the District last year for a new job.

• "DC": The standard abbreviation.

  • The postal code for the area is Washington, DC.

Variants and Related Words

• Washington, D.C.: The full, formal name combining the city and district.

  • The conference will be held in Washington, D.C.

• The Nation's Capital: A descriptive phrase often referring to the District of Columbia.

  • Protesters gathered in the nation's capital.

Synonyms

• Washington: (When used to refer to the city and its federal district collectively).
• The Federal District: (A descriptive synonym emphasizing its governmental status).

Related Phrases

• "Taxation without representation": A phrase associated with the District of Columbia's political status, as its residents lack full voting representation in Congress.
  • The license plates in the District of Columbia famously read "Taxation Without Representation".

Noun

1. the district occupied entirely by the city of Washington; chosen by George Washington as the site of the capital of the United States and created out of land ceded by Maryland and Virginia