# Vancouver

/vænˈkuvɝ/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. city in Canada

noun · CEFR A2

a large, famous city and seaport in British Columbia, Canada.

For teachers: the most populous city in British Columbia, Canada, known as a major coastal seaport and cultural hub.

- Many people visit Vancouver to see the mountains and the ocean at the same time.
- Vancouver is frequently ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world, though its real estate market remains exceptionally expensive.

### 2. island in Canada

noun · CEFR B1

a large island off the coast of British Columbia, where the city of Victoria is located.

For teachers: a large island in the Pacific Ocean, part of the Canadian province of British Columbia, separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia.

- We took a ferry to Vancouver Island to go hiking in the old forests.
- The rugged west coast of Vancouver Island attracts surfers and storm-watchers from across the globe during the winter months.

### 3. city in Washington, USA

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a city in the U.S. state of Washington, located just across the river from Portland, Oregon.

For teachers: a city in the state of Washington, United States, serving as the county seat of Clark County.

- He lives in Vancouver, Washington, but he works across the river in Portland.
- To avoid confusion with the Canadian metropolis, residents often refer to this city as Vancouver, Washington, or 'Vancouver USA'.

### 4. citation style

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

a specific way of listing sources and references in medical and scientific writing.

For teachers: a citation style, also known as the Vancouver system, used primarily in the health sciences and medicine.

- The professor asked us to use the Vancouver style for our medical research paper.
- The Vancouver system uses a numerical approach to in-text citations, which are then keyed to a numbered reference list at the end of the document.

## Examples

- Vancouver is a beautiful city near the ocean.
- Many tourists visit Vancouver in the winter to go skiing in the nearby mountains.
- As a major hub for the film industry and international trade, Vancouver serves as a critical economic link between North America and the Pacific Rim.

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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.