Definition

Proper noun: * A river in southeastern Canada: The Outaouais is a major river that forms part of the border between the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It flows into the Saint Lawrence River near Montreal.

Usage Notes

• "Outaouais" is a proper noun and is always capitalized.
• It refers specifically to the geographic feature, the river. It is not used as a common noun.
• The word is of Algonquian origin.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • The Outaouais is a vital waterway for transportation and hydroelectric power.
  • We took a boat tour on the Outaouais River.
  • The city of Ottawa is situated on the south bank of the Outaouais.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to refer to the region surrounding the river, particularly on the Quebec side.
  • She is from the Outaouais region of western Quebec.

Variants and Related Words

• Ottawa River: This is the more common English name for the Outaouais River. The two names are used interchangeably in English contexts.
• Outaouais Region (Région de l'Outaouais): An administrative region in Quebec, Canada, named after the river.

Synonyms

• Ottawa River

Different Meanings

• This word has only one primary meaning as a proper noun referring to the river. Its use to denote the administrative region is a direct geographical extension of this meaning.

Noun

1. a river in southeastern Canada that flows along the boundary between Quebec and Ontario to the Saint Lawrence River near Montreal