# Orleans

/ˈɔɹɫiənz/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. a city in France

noun · CEFR B1

a historic city in central France, located on the Loire River.

For teachers: the capital city of the Loiret department and the Centre-Val de Loire region in north-central France.

- Joan of Arc is a famous historical figure known as the Maid of Orleans.
- The city of Orleans served as a vital strategic point during the Hundred Years' War due to its position on the Loire River.

### 2. places in the US

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

the name of several smaller towns and locations across the United States.

For teachers: a toponym applied to various municipalities and unincorporated communities in states such as Massachusetts, Indiana, and Vermont.

- We spent a quiet weekend visiting the small town of Orleans in Massachusetts.
- While New Orleans is the most famous namesake, several smaller communities named Orleans exist throughout the American Midwest and Northeast.

### 3. a type of fabric

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a light cloth made from a mix of wool and cotton, used for making clothes.

For teachers: a lightweight fabric typically woven with a cotton warp and a worsted wool filling, featuring a bright or lustrous finish.

- The tailor suggested using orleans fabric for the summer coat.
- Nineteenth-century garment workers often used orleans for affordable yet durable everyday clothing due to its blended fibre composition.

## Examples

- We are taking the train from Paris to Orleans tomorrow morning.
- Many tourists visit Orleans every May to watch the festivals celebrating the city's liberation by Joan of Arc.
- As a strategic gateway to the Loire Valley, Orleans has maintained its status as a vital commercial centre since the Roman era, though much of its medieval architecture required post-war restoration.

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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.