Westward Expansion Word Search
February 10, 2026
No Comments
Challenge yourself with this engaging Maryland word search that celebrates the Old Line State’s rich history, culture, and traditions! This puzzle features 24 carefully selected words representing everything from famous Marylanders like Babe Ruth and Harriet Tubman to iconic Chesapeake Bay delicacies like blue crabs and oysters.
Each word in this Maryland word search printable captures something unique about the state—whether it’s the historic capital Annapolis, the beloved Orioles and Ravens sports teams, the Potomac River, or Maryland’s distinctive flag. You’ll discover references to “The Star-Spangled Banner” anthem, the thrilling Preakness horse race, and even jousting, Maryland’s official state sport.
What makes this word search printable especially valuable is that every single word is clearly defined with 20-30 word explanations, helping you learn fascinating facts about Maryland while you search. The large print format ensures easy readability for all ages, making it perfect for classrooms, family activities, or personal enjoyment.
All words appear in capital letters and contain no more than nine letters, creating an enjoyable challenge suitable for beginners and experienced puzzlers alike. Start exploring Maryland’s incredible heritage today!
ANNAPOLIS, ANTHEM, BABE RUTH, BALTIMORE, BAY, BETHESDA, BLUE CRAB, CALVERT, COLONY, CRAB, FLAG, HARRIET, JOUSTING, OLD LINE, ORIOLES, OYSTER, POE, POTOMAC, PREAKNESS, RAVENS, ROCKFISH, SKIPJACK, TERRAPIN, UTZ
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland’s capital city since 1694, home to the U.S. Naval Academy, featuring historic colonial architecture and serving as a major sailing hub on the Chesapeake Bay.
ANTHEM – Refers to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” America’s national anthem written by Francis Scott Key in Baltimore during the War of 1812 after witnessing Fort McHenry’s bombardment.
BABE RUTH – George Herman Ruth Jr., legendary baseball player born in Baltimore in 1895, became one of the greatest athletes in American sports history with 714 home runs.
BALTIMORE – Maryland’s largest city and major seaport, known for its historic Inner Harbor, vibrant neighborhoods, Johns Hopkins institutions, and rich cultural heritage including diverse ethnic communities.
BAY – The Chesapeake Bay, America’s largest estuary, defines Maryland’s geography and economy, providing seafood, recreation, and serving as a vital ecological and commercial waterway.
BETHESDA – Affluent Montgomery County city near Washington D.C., home to the National Institutes of Health, Walter Reed Medical Center, and numerous biotechnology and research companies.
BLUE CRAB – Callinectes sapidus, Maryland’s official state crustacean, is the foundation of local cuisine and culture, harvested from the Chesapeake Bay and prepared steamed with Old Bay.
CALVERT – Lord Baltimore, Cecil Calvert, founded Maryland as a proprietary colony in 1634, establishing it as a haven for religious tolerance, particularly for Catholics.
COLONY – Maryland was one of the original thirteen British colonies, founded in 1634, known for its religious tolerance and tobacco-based economy before becoming a state.
CRAB – Blue crabs are Maryland’s culinary icon, harvested from the Chesapeake Bay and served steamed, in crab cakes, or as soft-shell crabs in restaurants throughout the state.
FLAG – Maryland’s distinctive flag features the Calvert and Crossland family coats of arms in bold black, gold, red, and white, officially adopted in 1904 and widely displayed.
HARRIET – Harriet Tubman, born enslaved in Dorchester County around 1822, escaped and became a legendary Underground Railroad conductor, helping hundreds reach freedom before the Civil War.
JOUSTING – Maryland’s official state sport since 1962, this medieval horseback competition involves riders spearing small rings with lances at full gallop, preserving a unique centuries-old tradition.
OLD LINE – Maryland’s nickname “Old Line State” honors the Maryland Line, regular troops who served courageously in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, praised by Washington.
ORIOLES – Baltimore’s Major League Baseball team since 1954, named after Maryland’s state bird, plays at Camden Yards and has won three World Series championships.
OYSTER – Chesapeake Bay oysters are a Maryland delicacy and ecological keystone species, harvested for centuries and served raw, fried, or in traditional stews throughout the region.
POE – Edgar Allan Poe, master of macabre literature, lived in Baltimore where he died mysteriously in 1849 and is buried at Westminster Hall, inspiring gothic tourism.
POTOMAC – The Potomac River forms Maryland’s southern and western border with Virginia and West Virginia, flowing through history as a major transportation route to Washington D.C.
PREAKNESS – The second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown, held annually at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course since 1873, featuring the traditional painting of weather vanes.
RAVENS – Baltimore’s NFL team since 1996, named through fan contest after Poe’s famous poem, has won two Super Bowl championships and plays at M&T Bank Stadium.
ROCKFISH – Striped bass, Maryland’s official state fish, is a prized game and food fish found in the Chesapeake Bay, supporting commercial and recreational fishing industries.
SKIPJACK – Traditional Chesapeake Bay sailing vessel and Maryland’s state boat, characterized by its V-shaped bottom and raked masts, historically used for oyster dredging throughout the bay.
TERRAPIN – The diamondback terrapin is Maryland’s state reptile and the University of Maryland’s mascot, a unique turtle species inhabiting Chesapeake Bay’s brackish marshes.
UTZ – Iconic Maryland snack food brand founded in Hanover in 1921, famous for its potato chips and crab-flavored snacks, now distributed nationally from its headquarters.
ANNAPOLIS, ANTHEM, BABE RUTH, BALTIMORE, BAY, BETHESDA, BLUE CRAB, CALVERT, COLONY, CRAB, FLAG, HARRIET, JOUSTING, OLD LINE, ORIOLES, OYSTER, POE, POTOMAC, PREAKNESS, RAVENS, ROCKFISH, SKIPJACK, TERRAPIN, UTZ
Maryland is famous for blue crabs and Chesapeake Bay seafood, its role in American history, the Star-Spangled Banner’s birthplace in Baltimore, and being home to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.
Annapolis is Maryland’s capital city, established in 1694. It houses the state government, the historic U.S. Naval Academy, and features beautifully preserved colonial architecture along the scenic Chesapeake Bay waterfront.
The nickname honors the Maryland Line, brave Continental Army troops who fought heroically during the Revolutionary War. General George Washington praised their courage, particularly at the Battle of Long Island in 1776.
Maryland is renowned for blue crab prepared with Old Bay seasoning, crab cakes, oysters, rockfish (striped bass), Smith Island cake (the state dessert), and Berger cookies—a Baltimore chocolate-topped shortbread treat.
Maryland was founded in 1634 by Cecil Calvert, Lord Baltimore, as a proprietary colony. It became a haven for religious tolerance, particularly for Catholics, and was one of America’s original thirteen colonies.
For official state records and government services, visit the Maryland State Portal. If you are planning a trip, check out Visit Maryland.
Since 1962, Maryland has recognized jousting—medieval horseback lance competition—as its official sport. Riders gallop at full speed attempting to spear small rings, continuing a tradition dating back centuries.
Despite abundant water from the Chesapeake Bay and numerous rivers, Maryland contains no natural lakes. Deep Creek Lake, the state’s largest lake, is actually a man-made reservoir created in 1925.
The mysterious Ouija board was patented in Baltimore in 1890 by Elijah Bond. The city even has an Ouija board gravestone marking the inventor’s contribution at Green Mount Cemetery.
Near Hancock, Maryland narrows to just 1.8 miles wide between Pennsylvania and West Virginia, making it the thinnest point of any U.S. state—you could walk across in thirty minutes.
The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, established in 1840, was the world’s first dental school. It revolutionized dentistry as a formal profession, setting standards for dental education worldwide.
Purus ut praesent facilisi dictumst sollicitudin cubilia ridiculus.