plymouth

plymouth — geographical name

1. a coastal town in southeastern Massachusetts, known for Plymouth Rock and for it

1.geographical name
Definition

a coastal town in southeastern Massachusetts, known for Plymouth Rock and for its place in stories about the Pilgrims' arrival in North America.

Example

Our history class visited Plymouth Rock during a school trip in Massachusetts.

pattern: visit Plymouth Rock in Plymouth

Tourists walked around Plymouth Harbor before eating lobster by the water.

location cue: Plymouth Harbor

Common collocations
  • Plymouth Rock
  • Plymouth Bay
  • Plymouth Harbor
  • a trip to Plymouth

Grammar Patterns

live in Plymouth

drive to Plymouth from Boston

visit Plymouth Rock in Plymouth

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 3 by references to Massachusetts, Plymouth Rock, Plymouth Bay, or the Pilgrims' landing. This sense often appears in U.S. history and school-trip contexts.

Common Mistakes

We stayed at Plymouth for two nights.
We stayed in Plymouth for two nights.
use 'in' with town names.
The Pilgrims sailed from Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.
The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.
this American town is linked with where they arrived, not where they left from.

2. a suburban city in Minnesota near Minneapolis, often mentioned as a place where

2.geographical name
Definition

a suburban city in Minnesota near Minneapolis, often mentioned as a place where people live and commute from.

Example

Jason moved to Plymouth after getting a job in nearby Minneapolis.

location cue: nearby Minneapolis

The soccer team from Plymouth practiced at a park near Minneapolis.

pattern: from Plymouth

Common collocations
  • Plymouth, Minnesota
  • near Minneapolis
  • move to Plymouth
  • from Plymouth to Minneapolis

Grammar Patterns

live in Plymouth, Minnesota

take a bus from Plymouth to Minneapolis

move to Plymouth for work

Usage Note

Distinguish from senses 1 and 3 by Minnesota or Minneapolis references. This sense is often used for suburban home, school, shopping, or commuting contexts rather than coastal history or sea travel.

Common Mistakes

My sister lives on Plymouth, Minnesota.
My sister lives in Plymouth, Minnesota.
use 'in' with cities.
Plymouth near Minneapolis is a sea port.
Plymouth near Minneapolis is an inland city.
this sense names a Minnesota suburb, not a coastal port.

3. a city and seaport in Devon in southwest England, closely connected with the nav

3.geographical name
Definition

a city and seaport in Devon in southwest England, closely connected with the navy, sea travel, and the Pilgrims' Atlantic voyage.

Example

The ferry reached Plymouth after crossing rough water from northern France.

travel pattern: reach Plymouth by sea

Visitors stood on Plymouth Hoe and looked out over the sea.

place cue: Plymouth Hoe

Common collocations
  • Plymouth Hoe
  • the port of Plymouth
  • sail from Plymouth
  • the navy base near Plymouth

Grammar Patterns

sail from Plymouth

travel to Plymouth from London

the port of Plymouth

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 by departure, not landing, in Pilgrim history. References to Devon, Plymouth Hoe, ferries, or the navy point to this English sense.

Common Mistakes

The Pilgrims first landed at Plymouth in England.
They sailed from Plymouth in England and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
this sense names the English departure port.
We walked across Plymouth Rock before lunch.
We walked across Plymouth Hoe before lunch.
Plymouth Rock belongs to the Massachusetts sense, not this one.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the city of Plymouth
  • a map of Plymouth
  • Plymouth, Massachusetts
  • Plymouth, Minnesota
  • Plymouth, England

Phrases

  • live in Plymouth
  • travel to Plymouth
  • move to Plymouth

Prepositions

  • in Plymouth
  • to Plymouth
  • from Plymouth
  • near Plymouth