cenote

American  

[suh-noh-tee] / səˈnoʊ ti /

noun

1. a deep natural well or sinkhole, especially in Central America, formed by the collapse of surface limestone that exposes groundwater underneath.

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cenote British  

/ sɪˈnəʊteɪ /

noun

1. (esp in the Yucatán peninsula) a natural well formed by the collapse of an overlying limestone crust: often used as a sacrificial site by the Mayas

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Etymology

Origin of cenote

First recorded in 1835–45; from Mexican Spanish, from Yucatec Mayan tz'onot

Explanation

A cenote is a sinkhole created when a limestone cave partially collapses, exposing a pool of crystal-clear water at the bottom. Cenotes are particularly common in the Yucatán Peninsula in Central America. Cenote comes from the Maya word dz’onot, meaning "cavern with water." These natural reservoirs were important to the Mayans — they were believed to be gateways to the underworld; they were used for sacrificial offerings; and they were a key source of water. These days they're perfect for swimming in a cave and relaxing in the sun at the same time!

Example Sentences

They offer temazcal baths, traditional Mayan steam rooms meant to purify and relax the body, and charge visiting foreigners to swim in a nearby cenote.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024

"This is naturally filtered, purified water, you can drink it," says cave diver Bernadette Carrión as we enter a cenote dubbed "Oppenheimer", in reference to the surrounding devastation.

From BBC • Dec. 14, 2023

So we filmed in Dahab, Egypt, in the Blue Hole with Alessia, in the Bahamas at the Vertical Blue competition and in a cenote in Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 20, 2023

We’ve known each other almost fifteen years, my friend with eyes the color of a clear cenote.

From New York Times • May 6, 2022

One day we went to a cenote for a bath.

From In Indian Mexico (1908) by Starr, Frederick