Paraguay

[ par-uh-gwahy, -gwey; Spanish pah-rah-gwahy ]

/ ˈpær əˌgwaɪ, -ˌgweɪ; Spanish ˌpɑ rɑˈgwaɪ /

noun

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

a river in central South America, flowing S from W Brazil through Paraguay to the Paraná. 1500 miles (2400 km) long.

Related formsPar·a·guay·an, adjective, nounpro-Par·a·guay, adjectivepro-Par·a·guay·an, adjective, nountrans-Par·a·guay·an, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for paraguayan

We can be Irish and Argentinean, or French and Australian, or Chinese and Paraguayan, or perhaps even all of them at once.
Do National Writers Still Exist?|Colum McCann|November 28, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The two principal articles of export were at that time green hides for Europe and the Paraguayan mat for Peru.
The Argentine in the Twentieth Century|Albert B. Martinez
Then the tide turned and from 1837 to the Paraguayan war the central government grew stronger and federalism weaker.
The South American Republics Part I of II|Thomas C. Dawson
All this brought about without any great difficulty, or only such as was easily overcome by the Paraguayan plenipotentiary.
Gaspar the Gaucho|Mayne Reid

Commerce and industry continued to expand throughout the Paraguayan war.
The South American Republics Part I of II|Thomas C. Dawson
Her picture, taken from this statue adorns the Paraguayan jubilee postage stamps of a few years back.
Journeys and Experiences in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile|Henry Stephens

British Dictionary definitions for paraguayan (1 of 2)

Paraguayan

/ (ˌpærəˈɡwaɪən) /

adjective

of or relating to Paraguay or its inhabitants

noun

a native or inhabitant of Paraguay

British Dictionary definitions for paraguayan (2 of 2)

Paraguay

/ (ˈpærəˌɡwaɪ) /

noun

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)

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for paraguayan

Paraguay

country is named for the river, which is said to be from Guarani para "water" + guay "born." Said to have been the name of a local chieftain who treated with the first Spanish explorers.

Culture definitions for paraguayan

Paraguay

[ (par-uh-gweye, par-uh-gway) ]

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.

Note

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

Note

Reputed sanctuary for Nazi fugitives.