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

The country of 5.2 million people, famous for its white-sand beaches, has long been seen as an oasis of stability and democracy in Central America.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

The Champions Cup is organised by Concacaf and involves teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Regions including Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia were underrepresented or not represented at all.

From Science Daily • Feb. 11, 2026

With a small gold “LA” necklace glinting against her black overalls, Toruño says L.A. is the closest thing to Central America she has found in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

Somehow, that small wild grass that started in the hills of Central America has become the star of the biggest, most expensive food chain in the history of the world.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan