barranca

American  

[buh-rang-kuh, bahr-rahng-kah] / bəˈræŋ kə, bɑrˈrɑŋ kɑ /

noun

plural

barrancas

1. a steep-walled ravine or gorge.

2. a gully with steep sides; arroyo.

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barranca British  

/ bəˈræŋkəʊ, bəˈræŋkə /

noun

1. a ravine or precipice

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Etymology

Origin of barranca

First recorded in 1685–95; from Spanish, variant of barranco, of obscure, probably pre-Latin origin

Example Sentences

The green is surrounded by LACC’s famous barranca — a sandy gully that runs across the course and is populated by ball-entangling grasses.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 18, 2023

A steep gully known as a barranca snakes through the course.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2023

Clark held his nerve to the end and was right there with him, even after a rare errant shot into the barranca on the 17th.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 17, 2023

You’ve got barranca to the right and trees to the left.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2023

Alone echoed upon the air the mocking strains of the czentzontle, perched upon the summit of an acacia, and answering a friend, perhaps an enemy, far off on the opposite side of the barranca.

From The Guerilla Chief And other Tales by Reid, Mayne