Washington, D.C.

Meaning

Proper Noun

• capital city United States (country), formally known as the District of Columbia. Abbreviated as D.C. or DC.

Origin

• Named for George Washington. The name "Washington, D.C." (analogous in form to "Richmond, VA") reflects the fact that at the time of its founding, it was only one of three cities in D.C., alongside Georgetown and Alexandria. (In 1871, Congress repealed the charters of Georgetown and Washington and created a unitary territorial government for the whole District of Columbia.)