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Definition of ottawa

ottawa

/ˈɑːtəwə/
Ot · ta · wa
Plural:Ottawas
•
Adjective:Ottawan
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ottawa Lexical Profile

• 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.

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

otherworldly
oti
otocinclus
ottawa
ottawa river
otter
otto

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.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Ottawa. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/ottawa
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