# Ohio

/oʊˈhaɪoʊ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B1

a state in the Midwestern United States.

For teachers: a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States, bordered by Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River to the south.

- She moved from California to Ohio to start her new job in Columbus.
- The political importance of Ohio is often highlighted during national elections due to its historical status as a bellwether state.

### 2. river

noun · CEFR B2

a long river in the United States that flows into the Mississippi River.

For teachers: a 981-mile long river in the Eastern United States, formed by the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers.

- The boat traveled down the Ohio River toward the Mississippi.
- The Ohio River serves as a vital commercial artery, transporting millions of tons of cargo through the industrial heartland of the country.

### 3. university

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a short way to say Ohio University.

For teachers: an ellipsis referring specifically to Ohio University, typically used in academic or athletic contexts within the region.

- He graduated from Ohio last year with a degree in history.
- While many students apply to the state's larger institutions, she chose Ohio for its specific journalism programme and campus atmosphere.

## Examples

- The family moved to Ohio last summer.
- Many presidential candidates spend a significant amount of time campaigning in Ohio because it is often seen as a key state.
- Bordered by Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River to the south, the state serves as a major industrial and transportation hub for the entire region.

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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.