Meaning & use
Salem
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproperAmerican
A coastal city in Massachusetts, known for the witch trials held there in 1692.
Grammar: Always capitalized and used without the: she visited Salem.
Patterns
- the Salem witch trials
- in Salem
We toured the witch museums in Salem last October.
The Salem trials led to the execution of twenty people.
Salem draws huge crowds every Halloween.
proper nounproperAmerican
The capital city of the US state of Oregon, in the Willamette Valley.
Grammar: Context or a state name usually shows which Salem is meant: Salem, Oregon.
Patterns
- Salem, Oregon
The state legislature meets in Salem, Oregon.
She drove from Portland to Salem for a conference.
Salem sits on the Willamette River.
Common combinations
- Salem witch trials
- Students read about the Salem witch trials in history class.
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Salem, Massachusetts, is a popular Halloween destination.
- Salem, Oregon
- He grew up in Salem, Oregon.
- in Salem
- The accused were tried in Salem in 1692.
- Salem village
- The trials began in Salem Village.
Word family
- Salemite noun
- a person from Salem
- witch hunt noun
- a phrase linked in memory to the Salem trials
Commonly confused: Salem or Salem and Salam?
Salem vs Salem and Salam
Salam is an Arabic word for peace and a common name, and it is not the name of the New England city. The words look similar but are unrelated.
Practice
Which event is Salem, Massachusetts, best known for?
Choose one answer.
Salem is famous for the 1692 witch trials. The Boston Tea Party took place in Boston, and the other events happened elsewhere.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Salem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.