# Clinton

/ˈkɫɪntən/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR B1

a common last name in English-speaking countries.

For teachers: A surname of English origin, originally meaning a settlement on a hill or near a river.

- Bill Clinton served as the president of the United States in the 1990s.
- The Clinton administration oversaw a period of significant economic expansion and the first federal budget surpluses in decades.

### 2. a first name

noun · CEFR B2

a traditional first name for men.

For teachers: A masculine given name transferred from the surname, appearing in usage from the 19th century onwards.

- Clinton Eastwood, known as Clint, is a famous actor and director.
- While less common as a first name today, Clinton remains a staple of traditional American nomenclature.

### 3. a place name

noun · CEFR B2

the name of many towns and cities, especially in the United States.

For teachers: A frequent toponym in North America, often named after DeWitt Clinton or other historical figures.

- There is a small town called Clinton in almost every American state.
- The city of Clinton, Iowa, was once a major lumber hub due to its strategic location along the Mississippi River.

## Examples

- The Clinton family has been in politics for many years.
- During the 1990s, the Clinton administration oversaw a period of significant economic growth in the United States.
- Political analysts often compare modern campaign strategies to those pioneered by the Clinton team during the 1992 election cycle, noting the shift toward rapid-response media tactics.

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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.