Lima

communications code word

Li·ma ˈlē-mə

—used as a code word for the letter l

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Lima was in 1952

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

lim

Lima

lima bean

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lima.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lima. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Geographical Definition

Lima

geographical name

Li·ma

1

ˈlī-mə

city south-southwest of Toledo in northwestern Ohio population 38,771

2

ˈlē-mə

city on the Rímac River and capital of Peru population 8,039,000

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

doppelgänger

Listen to the pronunciation of doppelgänger

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Popular

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)