Louisiana
|Lou-i-si-an-a|
/luːˌiːziˈænə/
land named for King Louis
Etymology
'Louisiana' originates from French, specifically the word 'Louisiane,' named in honor of King 'Louis' (from Latinized 'Ludovicus').
'Louisiana' was recorded in French as 'La Louisiane' by 17th-century explorers (most famously René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in 1682) and the name passed into English usage as 'Louisiana.'
Initially, it meant 'the land belonging to (or named for) King Louis' (referring to Louis XIV); over time the term narrowed from a vast colonial territory to denote the present-day U.S. state of Louisiana.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a state in the southern United States, located along the Gulf of Mexico; capital: Baton Rouge; largest city: New Orleans.
Louisiana is known for its distinct Creole and Cajun cultures.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the historical region/territory in North America claimed by France (and later Spain/Britain in parts) during the colonial era — often referred to as the Louisiana Territory.
In the 18th century, Louisiana referred to a vast territory claimed by France in North America.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/02 05:33