lancashire

IPA/ˈlæŋ.kə.ʃər/
KK[lˈæŋkəʃˌaɪr]IPA/ˈlæŋ.kə.ʃɚ/

lancashire — noun

1. a county in northwestern England, located between the Irish Sea and the Pennine

1.nounB1
Definition

a county in northwestern England, located between the Irish Sea and the Pennine mountains, with Preston as its administrative centre. Lancashire was a key region during the Industrial Revolution, famous for its cotton mills and textile manufacturing.

Example

Lucas spent his childhood in Lancashire before moving to London for university.

preposition: in Lancashire

The industrial revolution turned many Lancashire towns into major cotton-manufacturing centres.

noun modifier: Lancashire towns

Common collocations
  • in Lancashire
  • Lancashire town
  • Lancashire village
  • Lancashire countryside
  • historic Lancashire
  • northwest Lancashire

Grammar Patterns

Lancashire

in Lancashire

the county of Lancashire

Usage Note

As a place name, Lancashire normally appears without an article ('They live in Lancashire'). Use 'the' only with modifiers ('the historic county of Lancashire', 'the Lancashire countryside'). The county's short administrative code is 'Lancs.'

Common Mistakes

He comes from the Lancashire.
He comes from Lancashire.
Place names in English do not take an article except in specific constructions like 'the county of Lancashire'.
Lancastershire
Lancashire
The county name is a contraction of 'Lancaster' + 'shire', not 'Lancaster' + 'shire' spelled separately.

2. a crumbly white cheese with a moist feel, first produced in the English county o

2.nounB2
Definition

a crumbly white cheese with a moist feel, first produced in the English county of Lancashire. It has a mild, slightly tangy taste and is a popular cooking cheese because it melts evenly.

Example

Salma sprinkled grated Lancashire over the baked potatoes before serving them.

collocation: grated Lancashire

This classic recipe calls for Lancashire because it melts more smoothly than cheddar.

verb collocation: calls for Lancashire

Common collocations
  • grated Lancashire
  • melted Lancashire
  • wedge of Lancashire
  • Lancashire cheese
  • crumbly Lancashire
  • mild Lancashire
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

Lancashire (cheese)

some Lancashire

a wedge of Lancashire

Usage Note

Lancashire cheese is uncountable when referring to the food in general ('I like Lancashire on toast'). It can be countable when referring to types or varieties ('several Lancashire cheeses were displayed'). The cheese is also sold as 'Lancashire cheese' or simply 'Lancashire'.

Common Mistakes

Please pass me a Lancashire.
Please pass me some Lancashire (cheese).
Lancashire cheese is uncountable; don't use an indefinite article.
Lancashire cheese is from Cheddar.
Lancashire cheese is from Lancashire, England.
Lancashire is a county name, not related to the town of Cheddar.

Word family

  • Lancastrian
    adjectiveC1
  • Lancastrian
    nounC1
  • Lancs
    abbreviationC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria, and Cheshire are all historic counties in northern England. Lancashire lies between the Irish Sea and the Pennines, with a strong industrial heritage tied to cotton manufacturing. Yorkshire, to the east, is England's largest county and is famous for its moors, dales, and wool industry. Cumbria, to the north, is dominated by the Lake District and is much more rural and mountainous. Cheshire, to the south, is flatter and more affluent, known for its dairy farming and salt production. A learner visiting the north of England might travel through Lancashire to reach the Lake District in Cumbria, or cross the Pennines into Yorkshire — each county has a distinct landscape and cultural identity.

Lancashire ↗YorkshireCumbriaCheshire ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the county of Lancashire
  • the Lancashire coast
  • Lancashire County Council
  • the historic county of Lancashire

Prepositions

Etymology

CelticLatinOld EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

The name Lancashire means 'the county centred on Lancaster'. Lancaster comes from the River Lune (a Celtic river name) + the Old English word 'ceaster' (meaning 'Roman fort or walled town', borrowed from Latin 'castra'). So Lancashire literally means 'the shire of the Roman fort on the River Lune'. The county name was first recorded as 'Lancastrescyre' in the Domesday Book (1086) and gradually shortened to Lancashire.

First known use

1896

1896, in the meaning defined above