# Boston

/ˈbɑstən/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. city in the USA

noun · CEFR A1

the capital city of the state of Massachusetts in the United States.

For teachers: the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, known for its historical role in the American Revolution.

- We spent three days in Boston visiting the historic sites and museums.
- Boston remains a global hub for higher education and biotechnology, anchored by prestigious institutions located within its metropolitan area.

### 2. town in England

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a market town and port in Lincolnshire, England.

For teachers: a market town and seaport in Lincolnshire, England, from which the American city derives its name.

- The famous church tower in Boston is known as the Boston Stump.
- The original settlers of the Massachusetts colony named their new home after Boston in Lincolnshire, where many of them had lived.

### 3. type of lettuce

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a type of lettuce with soft, green leaves that form a loose head.

For teachers: a variety of butterhead lettuce characterized by its soft, tender leaves and mild flavour.

- I prefer using Boston lettuce for these wraps because the leaves are flexible.
- The chef recommended Boston lettuce for the salad to provide a delicate texture that wouldn't overpower the light vinaigrette.

### 4. card game

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old card game for four people that was popular in the 1700s.

For teachers: an eighteenth-century trick-taking card game for four players, played with two decks of cards.

- The characters in the old novel spent their evening playing Boston.
- Historians note that Boston was one of the most popular card games in Europe and America during the late eighteenth century.

## Examples

- Boston is a historic city in the USA.
- We visited the Freedom Trail in Boston to see the sites of the American Revolution.
- As a major hub for higher education and biotechnology, Boston continues to attract researchers and students from around the world.

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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.