California

[kal-uh-fawrn-yuh, -fawr-nee-uh] / ˌkæl əˈfɔrn yə, -ˈfɔr ni ə /

NOUN

u.s. state

Synonyms

WEAK

Bear Flag State Cal El Dorado Gold Coast Gold Rush State Golden Bear State Golden Poppy State Golden State La La Land Sunkist State

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The attacks are not random,” said Kevan Harris, an authority on Iranian economic development and society at the University of California, Los Angeles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

He had received endorsements from top Democrats, including California Sen. Adam Schiff and Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, his close friend and a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Utah has expressed interest in investing in more Pacific Ocean desalination plants, with the aim of securing more rights to the Colorado River from California, which holds the largest share of any state.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

However, more than 30 states, including California, decided to proceed with the trial.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

At Edwards Air Force Base in California, Major Richard Heyser spent the afternoon of October 13 trying to get some sleep.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin