Worcester

Worcester is a place name used for several locations and related entities. The best known are Worcester, England, a cathedral city and county town of Worcestershire on the River Severn; Worcester, Massachusetts, a city in central Massachusetts; and Worcester, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Worcester, England, is a historic city with medieval origins. It is home to Worcester Cathedral, a major example of Norman and Gothic architecture, and to the University of Worcester. The city has long been associated with Worcester porcelain, produced by Royal Worcester from the 18th century, and with Worcestershire sauce, first prepared in the city in the 19th century.

Worcester, Massachusetts, is the principal city of Central Massachusetts and the seat of Worcester County. It is the second-most populous city in the state and a regional economic and educational hub. It hosts Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the College of the Holy Cross, along with cultural institutions such as the Worcester Art Museum and the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Worcester, Western Cape, is a farming town in the Boland region, northeast of Cape Town. It is known for fruit production and wine, supported by irrigation along the Breede River and a concentration of related industries in the area.

Other usages include Worcestershire sauce, a condiment originally produced in Worcester, England, and brands and institutions bearing the Worcester name.