cordillera

noun

cor·dil·le·ra | \ ˌkȯr-dᵊl-ˈyer-ə

, -də-ˈler- also kȯr-ˈdi-lə-rə\

Definition of cordillera

: a system of mountain ranges often consisting of a number of more or less parallel chains

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Examples of cordillera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the resort has an idyllic vantage point at the foothills of the Truong Son mountains (part of the dense Annamese cordillera), the setting makes for noteworthy Instagram shots. — Condé Nast Traveler, "Angsana Lang Co," 20 Oct. 2017 Local media published photos of teenagers and children among the group playing in the snow in the Andes mountains cordilleras on their way home. — Washington Post, "Argentine officials: at least 15 die when bus flips, 21 hurt," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cordillera.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for cordillera

borrowed from Spanish, from cuerda "string, rope, line of mountain peaks" (going back to Latin chorda, corda "tripe, string of a musical instrument") + -ill-, diminutive suffix (going back to Latin -illus) + -era, suffix of place (going back to Latin -āria, feminine of -ārius -ary entry 1) — more at cord entry 1

Note: Spanish cordillera is apparently not formed directly from cordilla "tripe used as animal food," or from dialectal cordal "mountain chain."

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