# Detroit

/ˈdiˌtɹɔɪt/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the city

noun · CEFR B1

the largest city in the state of Michigan, famous for its history of manufacturing cars.

For teachers: the largest city in Michigan, United States, situated on the Detroit River and historically significant as a major industrial port.

- We spent the weekend in Detroit visiting the famous Motown Museum.
- Detroit has undergone significant urban redevelopment in recent years, attracting new tech startups to its historic downtown district.

### 2. the car industry

noun · CEFR B2

the American car industry, named after the city where most car companies started.

For teachers: a metonym for the United States automotive industry, particularly the 'Big Three' manufacturers based in the region.

- Detroit is investing more money into electric vehicles this year.
- Economic analysts are closely watching how Detroit responds to the increasing competition from overseas electric vehicle manufacturers.

## Examples

- Many people in Detroit work for car companies.
- After decades of economic decline, Detroit is seeing a new wave of investment in its downtown area.
- The rise of foreign competition in the late twentieth century forced Detroit to restructure its manufacturing processes to remain competitive in a globalised market.

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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.