caudillo

American  

[kaw-deel-yoh, -dee-oh, kou-thee-lyaw, -thee-yaw] / kɔˈdil yoʊ, -ˈdi oʊ, kaʊˈði lyɔ, -ˈði yɔ /

noun

caudillos plural

1. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a head of state, especially a military dictator.

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caudillo British  

/ kɔːˈdiːljəʊ, kauˈðiʎo /

noun

1. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a military or political leader

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• caudillos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of caudillo

1850–55; < Spanish < Late Latin capitellum, equivalent to Latin capit- (stem of caput ) head + -ellum diminutive suffix; see -elle

Explanation

A Spanish warlord or powerful military leader is known as a caudillo. Usually, a caudillo exerts complete control over the country's armed forces. The term caudillo, which is used in Spain and Latin America, comes from the Latin caput, or "head." The most well-known caudillo in history was one who proudly assumed the title, though it's often used in a derogatory way. During the Spanish Civil War, Spain's General Francisco Franco began calling himself caudillo, inspired by the German Führer and Italian Duce, both titles for authoritarian military rulers.

Example Sentences

The Tabasco-born caudillo sought to revive a centralized Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

A classical caudillo projects himself as the epitome of virility, usually by riding on horseback toward glory.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2021

The caudillo clearly expected that his successor, Lenín Moreno, would follow his lead.

From Washington Post • Feb. 5, 2018

In this view of Mr. Castro, he was above all an old-style Spanish caudillo, one of a long line of Latin American strongmen who endeared themselves to people searching for leaders.

From New York Times • Nov. 26, 2016

The month of April 1870 saw an insurrection in Entre Rios headed by the caudillo, Lopez Jordan.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various