Definition

Proper noun The official seat of government for the state of California, United States of America. It is a city located in north central California, approximately 75 miles northeast of San Francisco, situated on the Sacramento River.

Usage

This term is used specifically to refer to the city that serves as the administrative center for the state of California. It is a proper noun and is typically capitalized.

Examples

• The legislature meets in the capital of California.
• Sacramento is the capital of California.
• We took a school trip to visit the capital of California.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in geographical, political, and historical contexts to distinguish the governmental center from other major cities in the state (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco).
• It can be used in comparisons, e.g., "Unlike the capital of California, the capital of New York is not its largest city."

Variants and Related Words

• Sacramento: This is the actual name of the city. "Capital of California" and "Sacramento" are often used interchangeably when referring to the governmental seat.
  • Example: The governor resides in Sacramento, the capital of California.

Synonyms

• Sacramento
• State capital (of California)

Different Meanings

This phrase has a single, specific meaning as a proper noun referring to the city of Sacramento in its role as the state capital. It does not have other general definitions.

Noun

1. a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California