# Iowa

/ˈaɪəwə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B2

a state in the middle of the United States, famous for growing corn and its flat farmland.

For teachers: a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by the Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

- Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa.
- Iowa plays a significant role in American politics because it traditionally holds the first contest in the presidential primary season.

### 2. Native American people

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a member of a Native American group that used to live in the area that is now the state of Iowa.

For teachers: a member of the Siouan-speaking indigenous people formerly inhabiting the region between the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

- The Iowa people lived in the plains long before the state was formed.
- Historical records detail the migration patterns of the Iowa as they moved southward from the Great Lakes region.

## Examples

- They moved to Iowa to start a large farm.
- Many students from around the world travel to Iowa to study at its famous university writing programs.
- The economy of Iowa is heavily influenced by its agricultural output, particularly in the production of corn and soybeans, which supports a vast network of processing and manufacturing industries.

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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.