Meaning & use
WTC
Last updated
Meanings
abbreviationproper
World Trade Center, a complex of buildings in New York City destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Grammar: Used as a proper noun; usually with 'the' (the WTC).
Patterns
- the WTC
- at the WTC
The WTC was a landmark in Lower Manhattan.
Many people worked at the WTC before the attacks.
The new One World Trade Center was built near the site of the WTC.
abbreviationproper
World Trade Center, used in the names of similar trade buildings in other cities.
Grammar: Less common; usually clarified by the city name, e.g. 'the WTC in Beijing'.
Patterns
- the WTC in [city]
The WTC in Beijing is a prominent skyscraper.
Several cities have a building called the WTC.
Common combinations
- the WTC site
- The WTC site is now a memorial.
- the WTC towers
- The WTC towers were iconic.
- WTC attacks
- The WTC attacks changed the city forever.
Synonyms and how they differ
- World Trade Center
- The full form; use it in formal writing, while 'WTC' is common in news and informal contexts.
Commonly confused: WTC or WTO?
WTC vs WTO
WTO stands for World Trade Organization, an international body; WTC is a building complex.
Practice
What does 'WTC' most commonly stand for?
Choose one answer.
WTC is the standard abbreviation for World Trade Center, especially the New York site. The other options are not common expansions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “WTC”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.