Arlington

IPA/ˈɑːlɪŋtən/
KK[ˈɑrlɪŋtən]IPA/ˈɑːrlɪŋtən/

Arlington — geographical name

1. a community in the state of Massachusetts, about ten kilometers northwest of Bos

1.geographical nameB1
Definition

a community in the state of Massachusetts, about ten kilometers northwest of Boston's city center, with roughly 43,000 people

Example

Tara moved to Arlington last year because it is closer to her job in Boston.

move to + [town name] for proximity

The town of Arlington has a famous Revolutionary War landmark called the Jason Russell House.

place name as head of noun phrase

Common collocations
  • live in Arlington
  • move to Arlington
  • from Arlington

Usage Note

Commonly referred to with the state name 'Arlington, Massachusetts' to distinguish from larger cities with the same name.

Common Mistakes

I went to Arlington last weekend' (without context, listener may think of a different Arlington).
I went to Arlington, Massachusetts, last weekend.
Always specify the state when writing or speaking about this town, since there are several US places named Arlington.

2. a sizable urban center in the northern part of Texas, roughly at the midpoint be

2.geographical nameA2
Definition

a sizable urban center in the northern part of Texas, roughly at the midpoint between Dallas and Fort Worth, with about 365,000 people

Example

Niran bought tickets to watch a football game at the big stadium in Arlington.

watch + [event] at the stadium in + [city]

The University of Texas at Arlington has students from more than ninety countries.

Common collocations
  • in Arlington
  • located in Arlington
  • between Dallas and Fort Worth

Usage Note

Often called 'Arlington, Texas' in official contexts. The city is well known for its large sports and entertainment venues.

Common Mistakes

Arlington is a suburb of Dallas' (actually Arlington is its own city between Dallas and Fort Worth).
Arlington is located between Dallas and Fort Worth.
The city is not a suburb of either but lies roughly halfway between them.

3. a heavily populated unincorporated county in northern Virginia, on the opposite

3.geographical nameA2
Definition

a heavily populated unincorporated county in northern Virginia, on the opposite side of the Potomac from the U.S. capital city, with about 208,000 people

Example

Lara visited Arlington National Cemetery during her trip to Washington, D.C. last spring.

Arlington National Cemetery as a landmark

The Pentagon, the main headquarters of the U.S. military, is located in Arlington.

Common collocations
  • in Arlington
  • located in Arlington
  • across from Washington
  • Arlington National Cemetery

Usage Note

Though called a 'town' in common use, Arlington County is a legally unincorporated area — it has no independent city government but is governed as a county. The name often appears in news reports about U.S. politics and military affairs.

Common Mistakes

Arlington is a city in Virginia' (it is actually an unincorporated county).
Arlington is an urban area in Virginia across from Washington, D.C.
Be careful not to call it a city; it is an unincorporated county with a population density similar to a city.

Common collocations

Phrases

  • move to Arlington
  • live in Arlington
  • located in Arlington
  • commute from Arlington

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The place name Arlington comes from an English family name of Old English origin. It most likely meant 'the homestead of Ælfred's people' (from the personal name Ælfred combined with the suffix -ing and tūn, meaning 'settlement' or 'farmstead'). The name was brought to North America by English settlers and was used for several towns, a city, and an unincorporated county in different states.