what does dc stand for in washington dc

Washington, DC stands for “Washington, District of Columbia.”

Quick Scoop

• “D.C.” is an abbreviation for District of Columbia , a federal district, not a state.

• “Washington” is named after George Washington, the first U.S. president.

• “Columbia” was an old poetic name for the United States, derived from Christopher Columbus and used especially around the American Revolution era.

So when people say “Washington, DC,” they’re literally saying “Washington, in the District of Columbia.”

TL;DR: D.C. in Washington, D.C. means District of Columbia.

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