Mesoamerica

American  

[mez-oh-uh-mer-i-kuh, mes-, mee-zoh-, -soh-] / ˌmɛz oʊ əˈmɛr ɪ kə, ˌmɛs-, ˌmi zoʊ-, -soʊ- /

Or Meso-America

noun

1. Anthropology, Archaeology. the area extending approximately from central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua in which diverse pre-Columbian civilizations flourished.

2. (loosely) Central America.

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Mesoamerica British  

/ ˌmɛsəʊəˈmɛrɪkə /

noun

1. another name for Central America

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Other Word Forms

• Mesoamerican adjective

Etymology

Origin of Mesoamerica

meso- + America

Example Sentences

Until now it was thought that writing developed in Mesopotamia around 3,000 BCE, followed by hieroglyphics in Egypt and later in China and Mesoamerica.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

Mr. Darnielle’s happy place, clearly, is among the ancient Greeks and the gods of Mesoamerica.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

Archaeological evidence suggests that cacao has been cultivated in Mesoamerica for at least 5,000 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2025

Ancient Aztec communities from the pre-Columbian period of Mesoamerica had a rich mythological codex that was also part of their ritual and sacrificial ceremonies.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2024

Corn, beans, and squash may have taken several thousand years to spread from Mesoamerica to the U.S.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond