Arizona

[ar-uh-zoh-nuh] /ˌær əˈzoʊ nə/
noun
1.
a state in SW United States. 113,909 sq. mi. (295,025 sq. km).
Capital: Phoenix.
Abbreviation: AZ (for use with zip code), Ariz.
Related forms
Arizonan, Arizonian
[ar-uh-zoh-nee-uh n] /ˌær əˈzoʊ ni ən/ (Show IPA), adjective, noun
Examples from the web for Arizona
  • History there is some disagreement over the proper etymology of the name Arizona.
  • A few individuals traditionally winter at feeding stations in southeastern Arizona.
British Dictionary definitions for Arizona

Arizona

/ˌærɪˈzəʊnə/
noun
1.
a state of the southwestern US: consists of the Colorado plateau in the northeast, including the Grand Canyon, divided from desert in the southwest by mountains rising over 3750 m (12 500 ft). Capital: Phoenix. Pop: 5 580 811 (2003 est). Area: 293 750 sq km (113 417 sq miles) Abbreviation Ariz., (with zip code) AZ
Word Origin and History for Arizona

1861, originally as the name of a breakaway Confederate region of southern New Mexico; organized roughly along modern lines as a U.S. territory in 1863. From Spanish Arizonac, probably from a local name among the O'odham (Piman) people meaning "having a little spring." Alternative theory is that it derives from Basque arizonak "good oaks."

Arizona in Culture

Arizona definition


State in the southwestern United States bordered by Utah to the north, New Mexico to the east, Mexico to the south, and California and Nevada to the west. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix.

Note: The Grand Canyon is in northwestern Arizona.