cordillera

[ kawr-dl-yair-uh, -air-uh, kawr-dil-er-uh ]

noun

1. a chain of mountains, usually the principal mountain system or mountain axis of a large landmass.

cordillera

/ ˌkɔːdɪlˈjɛərə /

noun

1. a series of parallel ranges of mountains, esp in the northwestern US

cordillera

/ kôr′dl-yâr′ə /

1. A long and wide chain of mountains, especially the main mountain range of a large landmass. Cordilleras can include the valleys, basins, rivers, lakes, plains, and plateaus between parallel chains of a single mountain system, or they can consist solely of a string of connected mountain peaks.

Derived Forms

• ˌcordilˈleran, adjective

Other Words From

• cordil·leran adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordillera¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; from Spanish, derivative of cordilla, diminutive of cuerda “rope, string” (from Latin chorda ). Cordillera originally applied to the Andes Mountains in South America and later to the same mountain chain in Central America and Mexico; cord

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordillera¹

C18: from Spanish, from cordilla, literally: a little cord, from cuerda mountain range, cord

Example Sentences

Less dramatic than the alta cordillera near Santiago, here cone volcanos and old-growth forests provide a magical feeling.

From Outside Online

Moreover, the passes in ascending the Andes and Cordillera can only be correctly imagined by experienced travellers.

From Project Gutenberg

The mines which yield this metal are on the southern declivity, close to the road leading down from the Cordillera.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cordillera, in the neighborhood of Yauli, is exceedingly rich in lead ore, containing silver.

From Project Gutenberg

Not so the Indians of the higher mountains eastward of the Cordillera.

From Project Gutenberg

About a league beyond Acchahuari the valley is bounded by the principal chain of the Cordillera.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sierra