cenote

American  

[suh-noh-tee] / səˈnoʊ ti /

noun

1. a deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes groundwater underneath.

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cenote British  

/ sɪˈnəʊteɪ /

noun

1. (esp in the Yucatán peninsula) a natural well formed by the collapse of an overlying limestone crust: often used as a sacrificial site by the Mayas

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Etymology

Origin of cenote

First recorded in 1835–45; from Mexican Spanish, from Yucatec Mayan tz'onot

Explanation

A cenote is a sinkhole created when a limestone cave partially collapses, exposing a pool of crystal-clear water at the bottom. Cenotes are particularly common in the Yucatán Peninsula in Central America. Cenote comes from the Maya word dz’onot, meaning "cavern with water." These natural reservoirs were important to the Mayans — they were believed to be gateways to the underworld; they were used for sacrificial offerings; and they were a key source of water. These days they're perfect for swimming in a cave and relaxing in the sun at the same time!

Example Sentences

They offer temazcal baths, traditional Mayan steam rooms meant to purify and relax the body, and charge visiting foreigners to swim in a nearby cenote.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024

Inside the cenote, there is a constant sound of dripping as water percolates through the rock into translucent pools below.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2023

The objects were excavated by archaeologist Edward H. Thompson, who owned the cenote in the early 20th century.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2023

“I survive on the water from a cenote, to wash dishes, to bathe.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 7, 2022

One day we went to a cenote for a bath.

From In Indian Mexico (1908) by Starr, Frederick