Balboa

American  

[bal-boh-uh, bahl-baw-ah] / bælˈboʊ ə, bɑlˈbɔ ɑ /

noun

1. Vasco Núñez de 1475?–1517, Spanish adventurer and explorer who discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513.

2. a seaport in Panama at the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal.

3. balboa, a silver coin and monetary unit of Panama, equal to 100 centesimos.

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Balboa ¹ British  

/ balˈβoa, bælˈbəʊə /

noun

1. Vasco Núñez de (ˈbasko ˈnuɲeθ de). ?1475–1519, Spanish explorer, who discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513

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Balboa ² British  

/ bælˈbəʊə, balˈβoa /

noun

1. a port in Panama at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal: the administrative centre of the former Canal Zone. Pop: 2750 (1990)

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balboa ³ British  

/ bælˈbəʊə /

noun

1. the standard currency unit of Panama, divided into 100 centesimos

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Etymology

Origin of balboa

named after Vasco Núñez de _Balboa

Example Sentences

APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Danish Maersk group, will operate the port of Balboa, and Terminal Investment Limited, owned by the logistics giant MSC, will operate the port of Cristobal.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

Panama Ports Company -- a CK Hutchison Holdings subsidiary -- manages the ports of Cristobal on the canal's Atlantic entrance and Balboa on the Pacific side.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

The luxury properties are tucked on the north end, including the historic Balboa Highlands tract — a pristine collection of 108 Midcentury gems designed by Joseph Eichler.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 15, 2026

Flying Academy along Balboa Boulevard around 5 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

He jogged around like Rocky Balboa and gave his siblings high fives.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser