Paraguay

American  

[par-uh-gwahy, -gwey, pah-rah-gwahy] / ˈpær əˌgwaɪ, -ˌgweɪ, ˌpɑ rɑˈgwaɪ /

noun

1. a republic in central South America between Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. 157,047 sq. mi. (406,750 sq. km). Asunción.

2. a river in central South America, flowing south from western Brazil through Paraguay to the Paraná River. 1,500 miles (2,400 km) long.

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Paraguay British  

/ ˈpærəˌɡwaɪ /

noun

1. an inland republic in South America: colonized by the Spanish from 1537, gaining independence in 1811; lost 142 500 sq km (55 000 sq miles) of territory and over half its population after its defeat in the war against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay (1865–70). It is divided by the Paraguay River into a sparsely inhabited semiarid region (Chaco) in the west, and a central region of wooded hills, tropical forests, and rich grasslands, rising to the Paraná plateau in the east. Official languages: Spanish and Guarani. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: guarani. Capital: Asunción. Pop: 6 623 252 (2013 est). Area: 406 750 sq km (157 047 sq miles)

2. a river in South America flowing south through Brazil and Paraguay to the Paraná River. Length: about 2400 km (1500 miles)

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Paraguay Cultural  

1. Republic in south-central South America, enclosed by Bolivia on the west and north, Brazil on the northeast, and Argentina on the south and west.

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Discover More

Reputed sanctuary for Nazi fugitives.

Controlled for many decades by a highly repressive military government. A civilian was elected president in 1993.

Other Word Forms

• Paraguayan
  adjective
• anti-Paraguay
  adjective
• pro-Paraguay
  adjective
• trans-Paraguayan
  adjective

Example Sentences

And last week, he also notched an assist in the opening win over Paraguay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

In the opener, it dismantled Paraguay 4-1, while setting the country’s record for most goals in a World Cup game.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026

There was no doubt who was the most dangerous asset in the US ranks against Paraguay last week.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026

The buzz: The only time the U.S. won two games in the group stage was 1930; the Americans can equal that with a win here after thrashing Paraguay in its opener.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

After Roosevelt had completed his two-month speaking tour, he left Asuncion, Paraguay, on December 9, 1913, on a gunboat-yacht traveling down the Paraguay River.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple