# Amsterdam

/ˈæmstɝˌdæm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/amsterdam
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. city in the Netherlands

noun · CEFR A1

the capital city of the Netherlands, known for its many canals and historic buildings.

For teachers: the capital city of the Netherlands, situated in the province of North Holland and renowned for its concentric canal system.

- We spent three days in Amsterdam visiting museums and walking along the canals.
- Amsterdam serves as a major European financial and cultural hub, attracting millions of tourists annually to its historic city centre.

### 2. other locations

noun · CEFR B2

the name of several smaller towns and places in countries like the United States, Canada, and South Africa.

For teachers: a toponym referring to various smaller settlements globally, most notably several municipalities in the United States named after the Dutch capital.

- There is a small city called Amsterdam in the state of New York.
- While the Dutch capital is the most famous, several other locations named Amsterdam exist across North America and South Africa.

## Examples

- We are planning a trip to Amsterdam this summer.
- Many tourists visit Amsterdam to see the world-famous art museums and take a boat tour through the historic canals.
- As a major European financial and cultural hub, Amsterdam maintains a unique balance between its seventeenth-century architectural preservation and its status as a modern center for international trade.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.