salem
salem — noun
1. the city in Oregon where the state government carries out its work, including th
the city in Oregon where the state government carries out its work, including the state legislature and the governor's office.
The state government buildings in Salem, Oregon, house the offices of elected officials and their staff.
proper noun with appositive state name
Lucía drove from Portland to Salem for a meeting at the Oregon State Capitol.
Each spring, the cherry blossoms near the capitol building in Salem draw many visitors.
collocation: capitol building in Salem
The Oregon State Fair takes place each summer at the fairgrounds in Salem.
- capital of Oregon
- Salem, Oregon
- state capitol in Salem
- Salem city government
Grammar Patterns
always capitalised
Usage Note
Always capitalised as a proper noun. Use 'Salem, Oregon' or 'Salem, OR' in writing to distinguish this city from the other places named Salem across the United States.
Common Mistakes
salem — geographical name
1. a historic port city on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Massachusetts, famous
a historic port city on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Massachusetts, famous for the Salem witch trials of 1692 and its maritime trading history in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Yuki visited Salem, Massachusetts, to learn about the witch trials of 1692.
proper noun with appositive state name
The waterfront in Salem has restaurants and shops that attract tourists year-round.
Salem's maritime history is on display at the Peabody Essex Museum near the harbour.
possessive: Salem's + noun
Tourists visit Salem's House of the Seven Gables to learn about 1600s life.
- Salem witch trials
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Salem maritime history
- Salem harbour
Grammar Patterns
always capitalised
Usage Note
Always capitalised. In historical contexts, 'Salem' alone often means Salem, Massachusetts due to the witch trials. Use 'Salem, Massachusetts' or 'Salem, MA' in formal writing to be clear.
2. a suburban community in the southeastern corner of New Hampshire, close to the b
a suburban community in the southeastern corner of New Hampshire, close to the border with Massachusetts, with many shops and residential housing.
Ravindra's family moved to Salem, New Hampshire, for the good schools and quiet streets.
proper noun with appositive state name
The mall in Salem, New Hampshire, attracts shoppers from across the state border.
Alessia found a job at a software company just outside Salem, New Hampshire.
The town library in Salem, New Hampshire, hosts a popular summer reading program for children.
- Salem, New Hampshire
- Salem town centre
- Salem shopping mall
Grammar Patterns
always capitalised
Usage Note
Always capitalised. This Salem is much smaller and less famous than Salem, Massachusetts or Salem, Oregon. Use the full phrase 'Salem, New Hampshire' to avoid confusion.
3. a city in western Oregon that sits on the Willamette River, known for its parks,
a city in western Oregon that sits on the Willamette River, known for its parks, Willamette University, and its location in the fertile Willamette Valley.
Salem, Oregon, sits about 45 miles south of Portland in the heart of the Willamette Valley.
geographic location: sits + distance + direction
Bush's Pasture Park in Salem has walking trails and a historic house that visitors enjoy.
The Willamette River runs through Salem, providing water for farms in the nearby valley.
Kevin studied at Willamette University in Salem before moving to a bigger city for work.
- Salem, Oregon
- Willamette River
- Willamette Valley
- Willamette University
Grammar Patterns
always capitalised
Usage Note
Always capitalised as a proper noun. Use 'Salem, Oregon' or 'Salem, OR' in writing to distinguish this city from other places named Salem across the United States and India.
4. a small city in central Virginia, positioned a short distance west of Roanoke, f
a small city in central Virginia, positioned a short distance west of Roanoke, featuring an old downtown district and a stadium for minor-league baseball.
Brooke's parents live in Salem, Virginia, a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
proper noun with state and geographical modifier
The Salem Red Sox baseball team plays at Haley Toyota Field in Salem, Virginia.
Lien attended a concert at the Salem Civic Center in Virginia last summer.
The historic district in Salem, Virginia, has buildings that date back to the early 1800s.
- Salem, Virginia
- Salem Red Sox
- Salem downtown
Grammar Patterns
always capitalised
Usage Note
Always capitalised. This Salem is best known for its minor-league baseball team and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
5. a large urban centre in southern India's Tamil Nadu, lying to the southwest of C
a large urban centre in southern India's Tamil Nadu, lying to the southwest of Chennai, famous for making steel and the hill resorts that surround it.
Adisa took the train from Chennai to Salem to visit the ancient temples nearby.
proper noun with nearby landmark reference
Salem's steel plant in Tamil Nadu is one of the biggest employers in the area.
Salem in southern India is surrounded by the beautiful hills of the Eastern Ghats.
collocation: Salem in [region] of India
Farmers in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu grow mangoes and bananas each year.
- Salem, Tamil Nadu
- Salem steel plant
- Salem district
- Salem hills
Grammar Patterns
always capitalised
Usage Note
Always capitalised. This Salem in Tamil Nadu has the largest population of all the cities named Salem. Use 'Salem, Tamil Nadu' or 'Salem, India' to distinguish it from US cities with the same name.
Word family
- SalemitenounC2
Etymology
The name Salem comes from the Hebrew word 'shalom' (שָׁלוֹם), meaning 'peace', through its use in the Bible as a name for Jerusalem (often called 'Salem' in the Book of Genesis). Puritan settlers in New England brought the name to America, inspired by the biblical reference. The name was then spread across the United States as towns were founded by westward-moving settlers. The Salem in Tamil Nadu, India, has a different origin — it is possibly derived from the local hills ('selam' in Tamil) or from 'shela', meaning a cool place in local languages, though folk tradition sometimes connects it to the Hebrew name as well.