Andes

[an-deez]

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).

Andes

/ 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)

Andes

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Andes¹

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

Related Words

• sierra