English Reference

Word

caesar

Phoneticscae·sar, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈsizɝ/

UK/sˈiːzɐ/

Definitions

01Roman leader

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a title used by the emperors of ancient Rome.

n. a title of the Roman emperors, derived from the cognomen of Julius Caesar.

“The historian explained how each Caesar maintained power over the vast empire.”

“The transition of power from one Caesar to the next often depended more on military loyalty than on hereditary right.”

Synonyms

02Caesar salad

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking Informal

n. a popular salad made with romaine lettuce, croutons, and a dressing with lemon and garlic.

n. a specific type of salad typically consisting of romaine lettuce and croutons served with a dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, egg, and anchovies.

“I think I will just have a chicken Caesar for lunch today.”

“The restaurant's signature Caesar is prepared tableside, ensuring the croutons remain crisp and the dressing is perfectly emulsified.”

03medical operation

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Informal · Technical

n. a short way of saying 'Caesarean section', which is an operation to deliver a baby.

n. a common clipping of Caesarean section; a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.

“The doctor decided to perform an emergency Caesar because the baby was in distress.”

“Post-operative recovery for a Caesar typically requires a longer hospital stay compared to a vaginal delivery.”

Usage

Commonly used by medical professionals in casual speech or by patients.

Synonyms

C-section

04Canadian cocktail

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Dialect · American English

n. a Canadian drink made with vodka, tomato juice, clam broth, and spices.

n. a cocktail popular in Canada, similar to a Bloody Mary but made with clamato juice instead of plain tomato juice.

“He ordered a spicy Caesar with extra celery at the bar in Toronto.”

“The Caesar is often considered Canada's national cocktail, distinguished by its savory profile and elaborate garnishes like pickled beans or bacon.”

Teaching tip

This sense is specific to Canada; in other countries, people might not know what this drink is.

Synonyms

Bloody Caesar

Etymology

From Latin Caesar. Displaced Old English cāsere, which would have yielded caser, coser, and Middle English keiser, kaiser, from Old Norse and continental Germanic languages. All ultimately from the same Latin root. (See also Kaiser and tsar.)

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms

Domain

Medicine

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Frequent
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference