mesa

noun

me·​sa ˈmā-sə 

: an isolated relatively flat-topped natural elevation usually more extensive than a butte and less extensive than a plateau

also : a broad terrace with an abrupt slope on one side : bench

Synonyms

• plateau
• highland
• tableland

Examples of mesa in a Sentence

a mesa in the Arizona desert

Recent Examples on the Web

That's clear in cities like St. George, a desert community surrounded by stunning red rock cliffs and mesas in Utah's southwest corner. —David Condos, NPR, 9 June 2025

The first will remain in effect for the northern, southern and east slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Johnson and Bartlett mesas, including Raton Pass, through Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. local time. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

That initial drive was merely the opening act for the hike-able mesas, canyons, and sky-high sandstone beyond the visitor center gates. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2025

Sky City is situated on a 365-foot-high mesa, about 60 miles west of Albuquerque. —Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, table, from Latin mensa

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mesa

noun

me·​sa ˈmā-sə 

: a flat-topped hill or small plateau with steep sides

Etymology

Spanish, literally, "table"

Geographical Definition

Mesa

geographical name

Me·​sa ˈmā-sə 

city east of Phoenix in southwest central Arizona population 439,041