reno

reno — noun

1. a city in the western United States, known for its casinos, hotels, and as a gat

1.nounB1
Definition

a city in the western United States, known for its casinos, hotels, and as a gateway to outdoor adventures in the Sierra Nevada.

Example

Ritu flew to Reno for the weekend to try her luck at the famous casinos.

Maeve and her friends spent three nights in downtown Reno, visiting casinos and watching shows.

collocation: downtown Reno

Common collocations
  • visit Reno
  • downtown Reno
  • fly to Reno

2. the first woman to serve as the head of the U.S. Justice Department, from 1993 t

2.nounC1
Definition

the first woman to serve as the head of the U.S. Justice Department, from 1993 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, known for her role in important legal cases and government actions.

Example

Apinya wrote a school report about Janet Reno and her role in the Justice Department.

Noa learned Janet Reno was the first woman chosen to lead the U.S. Justice Department.

landmark status: first woman to lead the U.S. Justice Department

Common collocations
  • Attorney General Janet Reno
  • Janet Reno served as

Usage Note

This sense refers specifically to the historical figure Janet Reno, not to the city of Reno. It is typically used in discussions of U.S. legal history or 1990s politics.

Common Mistakes

Reno is a big city in Nevada.' (when referring to the person).
Janet Reno was the first female U.S. Attorney General.
use the full name to avoid confusion with the city.

3. a city in western Nevada, situated northeast of Lake Tahoe near the border with

3.nounB1
Definition

a city in western Nevada, situated northeast of Lake Tahoe near the border with California, known as the starting point of the Truckee River.

Example

Tendai looked at a map showing Reno just northeast of Lake Tahoe.

geographic relation: northeast of Lake Tahoe

Olivia drove from Reno to the California border in less than an hour.

Common collocations
  • located in Reno
  • Reno sits

Usage Note

Distinguish from the CITY IN NEVADA sense: this sense focuses on the geographic location and physical setting of Reno rather than its character as a tourist or entertainment destination.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Etymology

EnglishAmerican English

The city of Reno was named after Jesse L. Reno, a Union general who died during the American Civil War. The name was chosen when the Central Pacific Railroad established a station at the site in 1868. Janet Reno shares the same surname but is not directly related to the city's naming.