Massachusetts has 5 different meanings across 2 categories:
a state in New England; one of the original 13 colonies
"Massachusetts, a historic state in New England that was one of the original thirteen colonies, played a pivotal role in the American Revolution."
a member of the Algonquian people who formerly lived around Massachusetts Bay
"The explorer was greeted by a local Massachusett leader who guided him through the familiar woods near the bay."
one of the British colonies that formed the United States
"Massachusetts was originally one of the British colonies before it became a state in the new nation."
the Algonquian language of the Massachuset
"Before the arrival of European settlers, many words in the Algonquian language of the Massachuset were used to describe local flora and fauna."
A state of the United States.
"Residents of Massachusetts enjoy many beautiful beaches along their coastline."
The name Massachusetts comes from a Native American phrase meaning "the great blue hill." It was originally used by the Wôpanâak people to describe the prominent hill near their settlement before English settlers adopted it as the colony's name.