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

One strain, known as the Andes virus, is unusual because it can spread from one person to another.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 22, 2026

The Andes strain, which has left three people dead amid this outbreak, is the exception, but the CDC has maintained that the overall risk to the American public remains extremely low.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 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

The Andes virus, that was spread on the cruise ship, is a strain of the hantavirus that’s spread from human to human.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

It is punctuated by more than fifty rivers, which channel Andes snowmelt to the sea.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• sierra