Andes

American  

[an-deez] / ˈæn diz /

plural noun

1. a mountain range in western South America, extending about 4,500 miles (7,250 kilometers) from northern Colombia and Venezuela south to Cape Horn. Highest peak, Aconcagua, 22,834 feet (6,960 meters).

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Andes British  

/ ˈændiːz /

plural noun

1. a major mountain system of South America, extending for about 7250 km (4500 miles) along the entire W coast, with several parallel ranges or cordilleras and many volcanic peaks: rich in minerals, including gold, silver, copper, iron ore, and nitrates. Average height: 3900 m (13 000 ft). Highest peak: Aconcagua, 6960 m (22 835 ft)

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Andes Cultural  

1. Mountain system in South America running over 4,500 miles along the entire length of South America's Pacific Ocean coast.

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Etymology

Origin of Andes

First recorded in 1815–20; from Spanish, from Quechua andi “high crest”

Example Sentences

While most hantaviruses do not pass from person to person, rare instances of human transmission have been documented with the Andes virus strain, which is the strain behind this outbreak.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The Andes strain of hantavirus is the only one known to spread between people.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

It’s a story that’s been retold in recent weeks amid the Andes virus outbreak on a cruise ship to show how outbreaks sometimes lead to scientific breakthroughs.

From MarketWatch • May 17, 2026

U.S. health officials say Andes hantavirus usually spreads through prolonged contact with infected people, but scientists say one key study has shown that it can be spread through the air and by so-called superspreaders.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

But recent archaeological investigations have revealed that at this time the Andes housed two mountain states, each much larger than previously appreciated.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• sierra