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Definition of ottawa
ottawa
/ˈɑːtəwə/
Ot · ta · wa
Plural:Ottawas
•Adjective:Ottawan
ottawa Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
Canadian The capital city of Canada, located in the eastern part of the province of Ontario on the southern bank of the Ottawa River.
Example
"We visited Parliament Hill and several national museums during our summer trip to Ottawa."
2
North American A member of an Indigenous people of North America, traditionally living in the northern United States and southern Canada around the Great Lakes.
Example
"The Ottawa historically played a vital role in the fur trade across the Great Lakes region, establishing expansive trade networks."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for ottawa• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Algonquin word 'adaawe', meaning 'to trade', reflecting the traditional role of the Ottawa people as significant traders in the Great Lakes region.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ottawa. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ottawa