# Oklahoma

/ˌoʊkɫəˈhoʊmə/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B1

a state in the central part of the United States.

For teachers: a state in the South Central United States, bordered by Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.

- She moved to Oklahoma to start a new job in Oklahoma City.
- The economy of Oklahoma is heavily dependent on the energy sector, particularly oil and natural gas production.

### 2. historical territory

noun · CEFR C1 · Archaic

the name of the area before it became an official US state in 1907.

For teachers: an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from 1890 until it joined with Indian Territory to form the state of Oklahoma.

- Settlers rushed into the Oklahoma Territory during the late nineteenth century.
- The legal status of the Oklahoma Territory was defined by the Organic Act of 1890, which established a formal government for the region.

## Examples

- The family moved to Oklahoma to start a new farm.
- Oklahoma is a major producer of natural gas and agricultural products like wheat and cattle.
- The history of Oklahoma is deeply intertwined with the forced relocation of Native American tribes and the subsequent land runs of the late nineteenth century.

---

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.