# Tennessee

/ˌtɛnəˈsi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. US state

noun · CEFR B1

a state in the southeastern United States.

For teachers: a landlocked state in the southeastern United States, admitted to the Union in 1796.

- Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee and is famous for country music.
- The state of Tennessee is bordered by eight other states, reflecting its central position in the southeastern United States.

### 2. river

noun · CEFR B2

a large river in the southeastern United States.

For teachers: the largest tributary of the Ohio River, flowing approximately 650 miles through the southeastern United States.

- We took a boat trip down the Tennessee River to see the autumn leaves.
- The Tennessee River serves as a vital waterway for industrial transport and hydroelectric power generation across several southern states.

## Examples

- Nashville is the capital city of Tennessee.
- Many tourists visit Tennessee every year to see the Great Smoky Mountains and the music venues in Memphis.
- The geography of Tennessee is diverse, ranging from the rugged Appalachian Mountains in the east to the fertile lowlands along the Mississippi River 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.