Meaning & use
Des Moines
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproperAmerican
The capital and largest city of the US state of Iowa, in the middle of the state.
Grammar: Used without an article: she lives in Des Moines.
Patterns
- in Des Moines
- from Des Moines
My cousin moved to Des Moines to work for an insurance company.
Presidential candidates often visit Des Moines before the Iowa caucuses.
The state fair takes place just outside Des Moines every August.
proper nounproperAmerican
The name of a river that flows through Iowa and Minnesota and joins the Mississippi River.
Grammar: Usually used as the Des Moines River.
Patterns
- the Des Moines River
The city of Des Moines was named after the river that runs through it.
Anglers fish along the Des Moines River in spring.
The Des Moines flows south before meeting the Mississippi.
Common combinations
- downtown Des Moines
- We stayed in a hotel in downtown Des Moines.
- the Des Moines Register
- She reads the Des Moines Register every morning.
- Des Moines River
- The Des Moines River flooded last spring.
- Des Moines airport
- Our flight landed at the Des Moines airport.
Word family
Commonly confused: Des Moines or Dallas?
Des Moines vs Dallas
Dallas is a large city in Texas; Des Moines is in Iowa and has a very different location.
Practice
Des Moines is the capital of which US state?
Choose one answer.
Des Moines is the capital and largest city of Iowa. Idaho, Ohio and Illinois have other capitals.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Des Moines”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.