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

See Examples For:

Andes

He said the new findings provide unusually strong evidence that natural selection acted on this gene in the Andes after potato cultivation began.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 10, 2026

They are native to the high alpine areas of the Andes Mountains in South America.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

At a palatial ranch outside Medellín, the agents posed for photographs on a red carpet with the Andes mountains in the distance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026

San Juan's once-sparkling rivers have shriveled due to drought, and residents in the rugged, western Argentine province fear that prospective mining projects in the Andes will make matters worse.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

Highland Mexico and the Andes would similarly have been suitable for many of each other’s crops and domestic animals.

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

Related Words

• sierra