Search Dictionary
Definition of tulsa
tulsa
/ˈtʌl.sə/
tul · sa
tulsa Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
American The second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma, United States, situated on the Arkansas River. It is historically recognized as the 'Oil Capital of the World' and is noted for its extensive Art Deco architecture and the tragic 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Example
"Many architecture enthusiasts travel to Tulsa to admire its well-preserved Art Deco buildings downtown."
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Muscogee (Creek) word 'Tallasi' or 'Tulasi', meaning 'old town', in reference to the original settlement established by the Lochapoka Band of Creek Native Americans in the 1830s.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tulsa. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tulsa