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

By examining the magnetic characteristics of volcanic rocks in Colombia's Northern Andes, researchers found evidence that the main phases of collision took place earlier than previously believed, before about 10 million years ago.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 9, 2026

Found only in Ecuador's Andes Mountains, its spiny armour helps protect it from eagle-eyed predators that can see through its disguise.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

For thousands of years, potatoes have been central to life in the Andes.

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

Based east of Lima in the Andes heights, it first became prominent in the sixth century a.d.—a bad time to be launching a nation on the Pacific side of South America.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• sierra