puna

[ poo-nah ]

noun

1. a high, cold, arid plateau, as in the Peruvian Andes.
2. Pathology. altitude sickness.

puna

/ ˈpuna /

noun

1. a high cold dry plateau, esp in the Andes
2. another name for mountain sickness

Word History and Origins

Origin of puna¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from South American Spanish, from Quechua púna

Word History and Origins

Origin of puna¹

C17: from American Spanish, from Quechuan

Example Sentences

A serene image of a lone walker on a white sand dune at La Puna, Argentina.

From BBC

Each family has their own well, known as a “puna.”

From Seattle Times

Step 1: Deep wells or puna are cleaned of dirt and debris so the sea water that enters them through underground channels is clean and conducive to salt making.

From Seattle Times

Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, who will step down when his term finishes next year, said at the press conference that the leaders meeting on Friday had "reaffirmed their position from February on the appointment of Baron Waqa as the next secretary general."

From Reuters

“I am proud of the hard work and items before you today covering climate change, gender, fisheries, nuclear issues, and trade, among others,” Puna told forum attendees.

From Seattle Times