Definition

Proper noun A city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Illinois, situated on the Illinois River. It is a major urban center and the largest city on the Illinois River.

Usage

"Peoria" is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this city. It is often cited in American culture as a representative example of a typical Midwestern city or a test market for products and ideas.

Examples

• The company decided to test its new product in Peoria before a national launch.
• Peoria is the county seat of Peoria County.
• He was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois.

Advanced Usage

• "Will it play in Peoria?": This is a common idiomatic expression in American English, originating from the vaudeville era. It means "Will it be accepted by the average American public?" or "Will it be successful in mainstream Middle America?" Peoria is used symbolically to represent mainstream U.S. taste and opinion.
  • The political speech was clever, but the real question is, will it play in Peoria?

Variants and Related Words

• Peorian (noun): A native or resident of Peoria.
  • The Peorians were proud of their city's revitalized riverfront.

Synonyms

• City, municipality, urban center. (These are general synonyms for any city, not specific to Peoria).

Notes

As a proper noun, "Peoria" does not have phrasal verbs or direct synonyms that carry the same specific geographic and cultural meaning. Its primary use is to name the city itself.

Noun

1. a city in central Illinois on the Illinois River