name
Common
Halifax
HAL-ih-faks
Halifax (name) means a town in West Yorkshire, England. Example: “The Halifax building society takes its name from the Yorkshire town.”
name
1
A town in West Yorkshire, England.
"The Halifax building society takes its name from the Yorkshire town."
2
The capital city of Nova Scotia, Canada.
"The ferry from Halifax crosses the harbour to Dartmouth."
How to use Halifax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the English mill town or the Canadian port city that takes its name.
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Can you complete this real example?
The _____ building society takes its name from the Yorkshire town.
Etymology
Traditionally linked to Old English for "holy hair," from a local legend about a martyred woman's hair hung in a tree — though the more likely source is an Old English phrase meaning "grassy corner." The Canadian city was named after an English earl.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Halifax” mean?
The word “Halifax” means a town in West Yorkshire, England. In plain terms, either the English mill town or the Canadian port city that takes its name.
How do you pronounce “Halifax”?
“Halifax” is pronounced HAL-ih-faks (/ˈhæl.ɪˌfæks/ in IPA).
How do you use “Halifax” in a sentence?
Here is “Halifax” used in a sentence: “The Halifax building society takes its name from the Yorkshire town.”
What part of speech is “Halifax”?
“Halifax” is a name.
Where does the word “Halifax” come from?
The word “Halifax” comes from Old English.
Is “Halifax” a common word?
“Halifax” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Halifax” have?
“Halifax” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a town in West Yorkshire, England.
What is the difference between Halifax, England and Halifax, Canada?
Halifax, England is a town in West Yorkshire, while Halifax, Canada is the capital city of Nova Scotia. The two share a name but are entirely distinct places on different continents, with the Canadian city named after the English town's associated title.
Is Halifax the capital of Nova Scotia?
Yes, Halifax is the capital city of Nova Scotia, Canada, distinct from the town of the same name in West Yorkshire, England.
Is Halifax a common place name?
Halifax refers to at least two well-known places, a town in West Yorkshire, England, and the capital of Nova Scotia, Canada, showing how the same place name can appear in different countries with separate histories.
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