tulsa

tulsa — noun

1. the second-largest city in Oklahoma (USA), lying on the Arkansas River in the no

1.nounB1
Definition

the second-largest city in Oklahoma (USA), lying on the Arkansas River in the northeastern part of the state. It grew quickly after oil was discovered nearby in the early 1900s and is celebrated for its many art deco buildings.

Example

Yara and her family moved to Tulsa last year when she got a new job.

destination: to + Tulsa

Tulsa lies on the Arkansas River in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma.

geographical usage: lies on

Common collocations
  • the city of Tulsa
  • downtown Tulsa
  • Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Tulsa International Airport
  • in Tulsa
  • to Tulsa
  • from Tulsa
  • northeastern Tulsa

Grammar Patterns

Tulsa + verb

the city of Tulsa

in / to / from Tulsa

Usage Note

Tulsa is the second-largest city in Oklahoma, after the state capital Oklahoma City. As a proper noun, it is always written with a capital T. The adjective form is Tulsan (e.g., 'a Tulsan restaurant').

Common Mistakes

I went to Tulsa city.
I went to Tulsa.
For most city names, do not add 'city' after the name. Say 'the city of Tulsa' if you need to specify.

Word family

  • Tulsan
    nounC1
  • Tulsan
    adjectiveC1

Etymology

Creek (Muscogee)English

The city takes its name from the Creek (Muscogee) word /tvlse/, meaning 'old town' or 'town of the old people.' The Lochapoka band of the Creek Nation chose the name after they were forced to march west from Alabama in the 1830s on what became known as the Trail of Tears.