Orinoco

American  

[awr-uh-noh-koh, ohr-, aw-ree-naw-kaw] / ˌɔr əˈnoʊ koʊ, ˌoʊr-, ˌɔ riˈnɔ kɔ /

noun

1. a river in N South America, flowing N from the border of Brazil, along the E border of Colombia, and NE through Venezuela to the Atlantic. 1,600 miles (2,575 km) long.

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Orinoco British  

/ ˌɒrɪˈnəʊkəʊ /

noun

1. a river in N South America, rising in S Venezuela and flowing west, then north as part of the border between Colombia and Venezuela, then east to the Atlantic by a great delta: the third largest river system in South America, draining an area of 945 000 sq km (365 000 sq miles); reaches a width of 22 km (14 miles) during the rainy season. Length: about 2575 km (1600 miles)

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Example Sentences

Rod Lewis, founder and CEO of privately-held Lewis Energy, told Barron’s he is interested in developing a block in Venezuela’s Orinoco belt but has concerns about government reforms for the industry and transparency.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

East of Maracaibo lies the Orinoco Belt, home to the world’s largest proven deposits, estimated at more than 300 billion barrels.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2026

Most of the foreign investment under the Apertura had gone into the Orinoco Belt, a 54,000-square-mile region, rich with oil, but oil so thick that it would not flow by itself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

They will also need robust security to guard workers from guerrilla groups active in Venezuela’s Orinoco belt, as well as certainty that contracts will be upheld, these people said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Battered by European diseases and slave raiding, many fled to the Orinoco, becoming wandering foragers.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann