Peru

[puh-roo]

noun

1. Spanish Perú. a republic in western South America. 496,222 sq. mi. (1,285,215 sq. km). Lima.

2. a city in north-central Indiana.

3. a city in northern Illinois.

Peru

/ pəˈruː /

noun

1. a republic in W South America, on the Pacific: the centre of the great Inca Empire when conquered by the Spanish in 1532; gained independence in 1824 by defeating Spanish forces with armies led by San Martín and Bolívar; consists of a coastal desert, rising to the Andes; an important exporter of minerals and a major fishing nation. Official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Official religion: Roman Catholic. Currency: nuevo sol. Capital: Lima. Pop: 29 849 303 (2013 est). Area: 1 285 215 sq km (496 222 sq miles)

Peru

1. Republic in western South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ecuador to the northwest, Colombia to the northeast, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. Its capital and largest city is Lima.

Peru was the heart of the Inca Empire, which flourished from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries. The remains of the empire include the fabled stone fortress of Machu Picchu.

Achieved independence from Spain in 1821.

Other Word Forms

• Peruvian adjective
• non-Peruvian adjective

Example Sentences

Mr Ozorio will be handed over to Argentine police soon, while Mr Valverde, who is a Peruvian citizen, will stay in jail in Peru for now pending an extradition request by Argentina.

From BBC

Marching towards Congress, the protesters chanted "united for the Peru we deserve".

From BBC

Campbell believes Zimbabwe can cash in on the rising demand, as the fruit comes into season early, in late March, hitting the market ahead of major competitors like Peru.

From BBC

An immigrant from Peru who had relinquished her dreams of acting to raise a family, Carmen had a special bond with Ortega.

From Los Angeles Times

A man accused of killing his wife and dumping her body in the Angeles National Forest before fleeing with their children has been detained in Peru.

From Los Angeles Times