# Maryland

/ˈmɛɹəɫənd/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B1

a state in the eastern United States near the Atlantic Ocean.

For teachers: a state of the United States, located in the Mid-Atlantic region, with Annapolis as its capital and Baltimore as its largest city.

- Many people who work in Washington, D.C. live in the nearby state of Maryland.
- Maryland is often called 'America in Miniature' because it features a wide variety of topography, from sandy dunes to forested mountains.

Usage: Always capitalized as a proper noun.

### 2. historical colony

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the name of the English colony in America before it became a state.

For teachers: the English proprietary colony in North America established in 1632 by Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore.

- Maryland was originally founded as a place where Catholics could practice their religion freely.
- The colonial charter for Maryland was granted by King Charles I, who named the territory after his wife, Queen Henrietta Maria.

Usage: Usually preceded by 'the colony of' in historical contexts.

## Examples

- I am visiting Maryland this summer to see the ocean.
- Many people who work in the nation's capital choose to live in Maryland because of the convenient train lines.
- The geography of Maryland is remarkably diverse, ranging from the sandy dunes of the Atlantic coast to the rolling hills and forested mountains of the Appalachian range in the west.

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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.