Juan de Fuca

[ wahn di fyoo-kuh, foo- ]

noun

1. Strait of Juan de Fu·ca, a strait that is the main outlet from the Salish Sea to the Pacific Ocean, located between Vancouver Island and northwestern Washington State, with the Canadian-U.S. boundary running through its middle. 100 miles (160 km) long; 15–20 miles (24–32 km) wide.

Juan de Fuca

/ ˈdʒuːən dɪ ˈfjuːkə; xwan de ˈfuka /

noun

1. Strait of Juan de Fuca
   Strait of Juan de Fuca a strait between Vancouver Island (Canada) and NW Washington (US). Length: about 129 km (80 miles). Width: about 24 km (15 miles)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Juan de Fuca¹

First recorded in 1780–90; named after Greek navigator Juan de Fuca (1536–1602), who sailed in a Spanish expedition in 1592 to seek the Strait of Anián (now known as the Strait of Juan de Fuca ) by English sea captain and trader Charles William Barkley (1759–1832)

Example Sentences

Now, it was found that there were two principal channels or waterways from the 49th degree to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

From Project Gutenberg

It is in this very latitude where we now were, that geographers have placed the pretended strait of Juan de Fuca.

From Project Gutenberg

Juan de Fuca's inlet is explored, and found to be closed with high lands.

From Project Gutenberg

The straits we go through are those of Juan de Fuca, the old sailor who discovered them.

From Project Gutenberg

In sailing along the Oregon coast one sees but few more signs of human occupation than did Juan de Fuca three centuries ago.

From Project Gutenberg