redwood city: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (primarily used in specific geographic, travel, or local business contexts)Formal, Neutral, Geographic
Quick answer
What does “redwood city” mean?
A city in San Mateo County, California, USA, known historically for its redwood forests and logging industry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A city in San Mateo County, California, USA, known historically for its redwood forests and logging industry.
A specific geographic and administrative entity; often referenced as a notable location within the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley region.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is almost exclusively American English, referring to the specific US city. In British English contexts, it would only appear in discussions of US geography, travel, or business.
Connotations
In American English, connotes the Bay Area, tech industry, and Californian lifestyle. In British English, likely has little to no inherent connotation beyond being an American place name.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general British English discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “redwood city” in a Sentence
[Subject] is/lives/works in Redwood City.Redwood City is famous for [noun phrase].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “redwood city” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- a Redwood City address
- the Redwood City planning department
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of company headquarters (e.g., 'Oracle is headquartered in Redwood City.') and local commerce.
Academic
Used in geographic, urban studies, or historical research concerning California.
Everyday
Used in conversations about location, travel plans, or residence within the Bay Area.
Technical
Used in geospatial data, mapping, and local government administrative documents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “redwood city”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “redwood city”
- Writing it as two uncapitalized words: 'redwood city'.
- Omitting the hyphen when used as a compound modifier: 'Redwood City station' (correct), not 'Redwood City's station' in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is named after the coastal redwood forests that were once prolific in the area and supported a major logging industry.
In American English, it's pronounced /ˈrɛdˌwʊd ˈsɪɾi/, with a 'flapped t' sounding like a 'd' in 'city'.
No, it is exclusively a proper noun (place name). The words 'redwood' and 'city' are common nouns individually, but combined and capitalized they form a specific proper name.
Always capitalize both 'Redwood' and 'City'. When referring to the local government, 'the City of Redwood City' is often used.
A city in San Mateo County, California, USA, known historically for its redwood forests and logging industry.
Redwood city is usually formal, neutral, geographic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a city where the streets are paved with red wood chips to remember its name and connection to redwood trees.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS A CONTAINER (for history, community, industry).
Practice
Quiz
What is Redwood City best known for historically?