Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The United States Department of Veterans Affairs: The federal government department responsible for providing benefits, healthcare, and services to military veterans.
   • Virginia: A state located on the eastern coast of the United States. It was one of the original Thirteen Colonies and later one of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.

Usage

• Proper noun (Department):
  • He receives his healthcare through the VA.
  • The VA hospital provides specialized services for veterans.
• Proper noun (State):
  • Richmond is the capital of VA.
  • They traveled from Washington, D.C., to VA for the weekend.

Advanced Usage

• "VA benefits": Refers specifically to the services, financial aid, or healthcare provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • He applied for his VA benefits after leaving the service.
• As a standard two-letter postal abbreviation, "VA" is used in written addresses to represent the state of Virginia.
  • Please mail the package to: 123 Main Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Variants and Related Words

• Veterans Affairs: The full name of the department, often used interchangeably with "the VA."
• Virginia: The full name of the state. The abbreviation "Va." (with a period) is also an older, traditional abbreviation.

Synonyms

• (For the department): The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Administration (an older name).
• (For the state): The Commonwealth of Virginia, Old Dominion (a traditional nickname).

Notes on Meaning

This word is exclusively a proper noun and an abbreviation. Its meaning is entirely contextual: 1. In contexts related to the military, government, or healthcare for former service members, "VA" almost always refers to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 2. In contexts related to geography, addresses, or U.S. history, "VA" refers to the state of Virginia. 3. It is always capitalized.

Noun

1. the United States federal department responsible for the interests of military veterans; created in 1989
2. a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War