rancheria

[ ran-chuh-ree-uh; Spanish rahn-che-ree-ah ]

noun

, Chiefly Southwestern U.S.

, plural ran·che·ri·as [ran-ch, uh, -, ree, -, uh, z, r, ahn-che-, ree, -ahs].

1. a family household unit or settlement.
2. a hut or house where rancheros live.
3. a village of such huts.

Example Sentences

Each rancheria had its special place to hunt or fish, and had to fight its own battles with the other families of Indians.

From Project Gutenberg

Between the large rancheria of Tormey and the two just mentioned there appear to have been no Indian settlements whatever.

From Project Gutenberg

To the southeast of this port the passage continues until it merges with the channel of the rancheria.

From Project Gutenberg

At the eastern part of the entrance there is located a rancheria whose population might exceed 400 souls.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, the incident proves the existence of a sizable rancheria somewhere in northern Contra Costa County in 1795.

From Project Gutenberg