# Louisiana

/ɫuˌiziˈænə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B1

A state in the southern part of the United States, famous for its food, music, and the city of New Orleans.

For teachers: A state located in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States, bordered by Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

- We visited Louisiana last spring to see the historic buildings in New Orleans.
- Louisiana is unique among American states for its legal system, which is based on civil law rather than common law due to its French heritage.

### 2. historical territory

noun · CEFR B2 · Archaic

A very large area of land in North America that the United States bought from France in 1803.

For teachers: A historical territory in central North America, originally claimed by France, which was acquired by the United States in the Louisiana Purchase.

- In the early 1800s, the Louisiana territory covered much of the central United States.
- The acquisition of the Louisiana territory effectively doubled the size of the United States, opening vast new lands for westward expansion.

### 3. female name

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

A traditional first name for a woman.

For teachers: A female given name, occasionally used in the 19th and early 20th centuries, derived from the name of the territory or state.

- The old family records mention a great-aunt named Louisiana who lived in Missouri.
- While rare today, Louisiana was a distinctive given name in the American South during the mid-nineteenth century.

## Examples

- We are planning a trip to Louisiana this spring.
- Many tourists visit Louisiana every year to experience the vibrant music and unique cuisine of the French Quarter.
- The legal system in Louisiana remains distinct from the other forty-nine states because it is based on the Napoleonic Code rather than English common law.

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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.