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milpa

noun mil·pa \ ˈmil-pə \
|Updated on: 6 May 2018

Definition of milpa

1 a : a small field in Mexico or Central America that is cleared from the forest, cropped for a few seasons, and abandoned for a fresh clearing
b : a corn field in Mexico or Central America
2 : the corn plant

Recent Examples of milpa from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of milpa

Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl mīlpan

Learn More about milpa

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of milpa

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