Columbia

noun

Co·​lum·​bia kə-ˈləm-bē-ə How to pronounce Columbia (audio)
: the United States

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Christopher Columbus

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Columbia was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near Columbia

Cite this Entry

“Columbia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Columbia. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Columbia

geographical name

Co·​lum·​bia kə-ˈləm-bē-ə How to pronounce Columbia (audio)
1
river 1214 miles (1953 kilometers) long in southwestern Canada and the northwestern part of the U.S. rising in southeastern British Columbia and flowing south and west into the Pacific
2
planned city in central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. population 99,615
3
city north of Jefferson City in central Missouri population 108,500
4
city on the Congaree River in west central South Carolina population 129,272

Note: Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina.

5
city in central Tennessee south-southwest of Nashville population 34,681
Columbian adjective or noun

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