noun
Uncommon
Potomac
puh-TOH-muhk
Potomac (noun) means a major river running through Washington, D.C., and along the Maryland–Virginia border. Example: “Cherry blossoms line the banks of the Potomac each spring.”
noun
1
A major river running through Washington, D.C., and along the Maryland–Virginia border.
"Cherry blossoms line the banks of the Potomac each spring."
How to use Potomac
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe river that runs past the US capital, closely associated with Washington, D.C.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Potomac.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cherry blossoms line the banks of the _____ each spring.
Etymology
An Anglicized version of an Algonquian place name, possibly meaning "place where goods are traded," with spelling standardized by the US government in 1931.
Class of 1931
Potomac joined the language around 1931.
See the full Class of 1931 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Potomac” mean?
The word “Potomac” means a major river running through Washington, D.C., and along the Maryland–Virginia border. In plain terms, the river that runs past the US capital, closely associated with Washington, D.C.
How do you pronounce “Potomac”?
“Potomac” is pronounced puh-TOH-muhk (/pəˈtoʊmək/ in IPA).
How do you use “Potomac” in a sentence?
Here is “Potomac” used in a sentence: “Cherry blossoms line the banks of the Potomac each spring.”
What part of speech is “Potomac”?
“Potomac” is a noun.
Where does the word “Potomac” come from?
The word “Potomac” dates back to around 1931. An Anglicized version of an Algonquian place name, possibly meaning "place where goods are traded," with spelling standardized by the US government in 1931.
Is “Potomac” a common word?
“Potomac” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Potomac:
