caudillo

American  

[kaw-deel-yoh, -dee-oh, kou-thee-lyaw, -thee-yaw] / kɔˈdil yoʊ, -ˈdi oʊ, kaʊˈði lyɔ, -ˈði yɔ /

noun

caudillos plural

1. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a head of state, especially a military dictator.

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caudillo British  

/ kɔːˈdiːljəʊ, kauˈðiʎo /

noun

1. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a military or political leader

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• caudillos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of caudillo

1850–55; < Spanish < Late Latin capitellum, equivalent to Latin capit- (stem of caput ) head + -ellum diminutive suffix; see -elle

Explanation

A Spanish warlord or powerful military leader is known as a caudillo. Usually, a caudillo exerts complete control over the country's armed forces. The term caudillo, which is used in Spain and Latin America, comes from the Latin caput, or "head." The most well-known caudillo in history was one who proudly assumed the title, though it's often used in a derogatory way. During the Spanish Civil War, Spain's General Francisco Franco began calling himself caudillo, inspired by the German Führer and Italian Duce, both titles for authoritarian military rulers.

Example Sentences

The Tabasco-born caudillo sought to revive a centralized Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

One could imagine a whole constellation of caudillo narratives, in which Vargas Llosa presented the Cold War history of Latin America as a single vast web of conspiracies and assassinations.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2021

A classical caudillo projects himself as the epitome of virility, usually by riding on horseback toward glory.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2021

So why are they backing the caudillo for president?

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2020

Though Urquiza was a caudillo he had no such ambition for supreme power as plagued Rosas.

From The South American Republics Part I of II by Dawson, Thomas C.