Erie

[eer-ee] /ˈɪər i/
noun, plural Eries (especially collectively) Erie for 3.
1.
Lake, a lake between the NE central United States and SE central Canada: the southernmost lake of the Great Lakes; Commodore Perry's defeat of the British in 1813. 239 miles (385 km) long; 9940 sq. mi. (25,745 sq. km).
2.
a port in NW Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie.
3.
a member of a tribe of American Indians formerly living along the southern shore of Lake Erie.
Can be confused
aerie, eerie, Erie.
British Dictionary definitions for lake erie

Erie1

/ˈɪərɪ/
noun
1.
(pl) Eries, Erie. a member of a North American Indian people formerly living south of Lake Erie
2.
the language of this people, possibly belonging to the Iroquoian family

Erie2

/ˈɪərɪ/
noun
1.
Lake Erie, a lake between the US and Canada: the southernmost and the shallowest of the Great Lakes; empties by the Niagara River into Lake Ontario. Area: 25 718 sq km (9930 sq miles)
2.
a port in NW Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. Pop: 101 373 (2003 est)
Word Origin and History for lake erie

Erie

one of the Great Lakes, named for a native Iroquoian people who lived nearby, from French Erie, shortening of Rhiienhonons, said to mean "raccoon nation," perhaps in reference to a totemic animal.

lake erie in Culture

Lake Erie definition


Lake bordered by Ontario, Canada, to the north; New York to the east; Pennsylvania and Ohio to the south; and Michigan to the west.

Note: Fourth largest of the Great Lakes, it has been known for years for its high level of pollution.