Central America

American  

noun

1. continental North America, S of Mexico, usually considered as comprising Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. 227,933 sq. mi. (590,346 sq. km).

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Central America British  

noun

1. an isthmus joining the continents of North and South America, extending from the S border of Mexico to the NW border of Colombia and consisting of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Area: about 518 000 sq km (200 000 sq miles)

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Central America Cultural  

1. Region in the southernmost portion of North America, linked to South America by the Isthmus of Panama; includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

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The United States government has often taken the position that Central American affairs directly affect American interests. Accordingly, it has often provided financial and military aid to Central American governments and occasionally intervened militarily.

Countries in Central America (except for Belize and Costa Rica) are characterized by unstable governments and very low per capita income.

Other Word Forms

• Central American
  noun

Example Sentences

Between 750 and 900 CE, the Maya lowlands in Central America went through a dramatic drop in population and political power.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

A zoo is celebrating the birth of a giant anteater pup, which zoologists say is "considered the most threatened mammal in Central America".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

It operates the U.S. retail giant’s stores in Mexico and Central America.

From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026

As seasoned journalists, Brent and I had spent recent years documenting displacement — migrants crossing rivers in Central America, refugees moving through camps in Greece, families uprooted by hurricanes and conflict across the Americas.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Many of the youngsters from Central America and Mexico who go north on their own do not memorize telephone numbers or addresses.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario