Aztec

American  

[az-tek] / ˈæz tɛk /

noun

1. a member of a Nahuatl-speaking state in central Mexico that was conquered by Cortés in 1521.

2. Also called classical Nahuatl.  the variety of Nahuatl that served as the medium of Aztec civilization, aboriginally written in a chiefly pictographic script.

3. the Nahuatl language.

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Aztec British  

/ ˈæztɛk /

noun

1. a member of a Mexican Indian people who established a great empire, centred on the valley of Mexico, that was overthrown by Cortés and his followers in the early 16th century

2. the language of the Aztecs See also Nahuatl

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Aztecs, their civilization, or their language

Other Word Forms

• Aztecan adjective
• post-Aztec adjective

Etymology

Origin of Aztec

1780–90; < Spanish azteca < Nahuatl aztēcah, plural of aztēcatl person from Aztlān, the legendary place of origin of the Aztecs

Example Sentences

Perhaps less familiar to most readers but no less absorbing is the book’s treatment of colonial Spanish missionaries’ encounter with Aztec rituals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

If they progress to the last 16 having won their group, they would potentially face co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City's famous Aztec Stadium if they had also topped their group and won a last-32 match.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

Over 100 actors, singers, Aztec dancers and local community members will take the stage to perform the miraculous tale through song and dance.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

Named Coatlicue, after a goddess in Aztec mythology representing the source of power and life, the computer will have a processing capacity of 314 petaflops.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

Altars can have different levels to represent places like earth, heaven, or the Aztec underworld of Mictlan.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez