cenote

[ suh-noh-tee ]

noun

1. a deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes groundwater underneath.

cenote

/ sɪˈnəʊteɪ /

noun

1. (esp in the Yucatán peninsula) a natural well formed by the collapse of an overlying limestone crust: often used as a sacrificial site by the Mayas

Word History and Origins

Origin of cenote¹

First recorded in 1835–45; from Mexican Spanish, from Yucatec Mayan tz'onot

Word History and Origins

Origin of cenote¹

C19: via Mexican Spanish from Maya conot

Example Sentences

Our study focused on two inland lagoons created by giant cenotes—natural sinkholes in the Yucatan’s limestone bedrock—near the Caribbean coast.

From Popular-Science

However, they were very distinct from other freshwater inland mangrove populations in cenotes on the Yucatan’s eastern coast along the Caribbean, and those populations are distinct in turn from other coastal mangroves.

From Popular-Science

Other, more immediate threats to the peninsula’s carbon-rich cenotes include groundwater pollution, expanding infrastructure, urbanization and tourism.

From Science News

There are dozens of mangrove-lined sinkholes, or cenotes, on the peninsula.

From Science News

Probably the swallows were nesting in the cenote although the nests were inaccessible to view.

From Project Gutenberg

For these the Mayan Indian name is "cenote," and they are often huge.

From Project Gutenberg

With him as our guide we visited a neighbouring cenote, the water supply of the ancient Indian city.

From Project Gutenberg

Dinny led on rapidly till they reached the turning in the direction of the old temple which contained the cenote.

From Project Gutenberg

The floor of this cenote is near the watertable but not below it.

From Project Gutenberg