strasbourg: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Geographic, Political
Quick answer
What does “strasbourg” mean?
A historic city in northeastern France, the capital of the Alsace region and a major seat of European Union institutions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historic city in northeastern France, the capital of the Alsace region and a major seat of European Union institutions.
The city serves as a powerful symbol of Franco-German reconciliation and European integration, often used metonymically to refer to the European Parliament.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The political connotation is equally strong in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with the European Union and its bureaucracy. Also connotes history (e.g., Strasbourg Cathedral) and Alsatian culture.
Frequency
Frequency spikes in news reports related to EU politics or European history.
Grammar
How to Use “strasbourg” in a Sentence
[The institution] is based in Strasbourg.The debate moved to Strasbourg.[Person/Entity] travelled to Strasbourg for the session.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “strasbourg” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The MEPs will Strasbourg next week for the plenary.
American English
- The committee is Strasbourging for the final vote.
adverb
British English
- The report was drafted Strasbourg-ly, with a distinctly European perspective.
American English
- They voted Strasbourg-style, shuttling between two cities.
adjective
British English
- The Strasbourg agreement was reached late last night.
American English
- She studied the Strasbourg court's latest ruling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to regulatory decisions from EU bodies based there.
Academic
In studies of European integration, political science, or Gothic architecture.
Everyday
Discussing travel plans or news about the EU.
Technical
In legal contexts relating to rulings from the European Court of Human Rights.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “strasbourg”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “strasbourg”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “strasbourg”
- Misspelling as 'Strasburg' (dropping the 'o').
- Incorrectly referring to the European Commission (based in Brussels) as being in Strasbourg.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a symbolic seat established to represent Franco-German reconciliation and the EU's foundation on peace. Its location is fixed by EU treaties.
Strasbourg is in France, in the Alsace region near the German border. It has historically been controlled by both countries.
The Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, with its famous astronomical clock and single spire, is the city's most iconic landmark.
French is the official and dominant language. The traditional Alsatian dialect, a Germanic Alemannic variety, is also spoken by some, and German is widely understood due to proximity and history.
A historic city in northeastern France, the capital of the Alsace region and a major seat of European Union institutions.
Strasbourg is usually formal, geographic, political in register.
Strasbourg: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstræzbɜːrɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrɑːsbɜːrɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Strasbourg compromise”
- “Shuttle between Brussels and Strasbourg”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'STRAS' for 'strategic' European city with a 'BOURG' (like Edinburgh or Pittsburgh) ending common in place names.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRASBOURG IS A BRIDGE (between France and Germany, between national and European law).
Practice
Quiz
What is Strasbourg best known for in a modern political context?