cordillera: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Technical (Geology, Geography)
Quick answer
What does “cordillera” mean?
A long chain or range of mountains, especially the main mountain range of a large landmass.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long chain or range of mountains, especially the main mountain range of a large landmass.
The term can be used metaphorically or in specific contexts to refer to any long, interconnected series of peaks or high points, whether literal mountains or figuratively to describe a series of challenging obstacles or prominent features in a sequence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is used in both varieties within academic/geographical contexts. American English may encounter it more frequently due to proximity to the American Cordillera.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a formal, technical, and large-scale geographical feature.
Frequency
Low frequency in general use. Higher frequency in specific academic texts, geography, and in North/South American contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cordillera” in a Sentence
the cordillera of [region]the [region] cordillera[adjective] cordilleraVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cordillera” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally. Use 'cordilleran']
- The cordilleran geology is complex.
American English
- [Rarely used adjectivally. Use 'cordilleran']
- Cordilleran ice sheets once covered the region.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in geography, geology, and environmental science texts to describe major mountain systems.
Everyday
Rare, except in regions near such features or in travel/ documentary contexts.
Technical
Core term in physical geography and tectonics to describe extensive linear mountain belts formed by plate convergence.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cordillera”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cordillera”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cordillera”
- Using 'cordillera' for a single, isolated mountain.
- Misspelling: 'cordillera', 'cordillera'.
- Incorrect plural: 'cordilleras' (acceptable) vs. treating it as uncountable for a single system.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'cordillera' is typically a larger system, often comprising several parallel or interconnected mountain ranges (e.g., the Rocky Mountains are part of the North American Cordillera). 'Mountain range' is a more general term.
Yes, though it originated in the Spanish-speaking Americas, it can be applied to similar major mountain systems elsewhere, like the Alpine-Himalayan cordillera, but this is less common.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term. In everyday conversation, 'mountain range' or 'mountains' are far more common.
In British English: /ˌkɔː.dɪˈljɛə.rə/ (kor-di-LYAIR-uh). In American English: /ˌkɔːr.dəlˈjer.ə/ (kor-duhl-YAIR-uh). The double 'l' is pronounced like a 'y' sound.
A long chain or range of mountains, especially the main mountain range of a large landmass.
Cordillera is usually formal, academic, technical (geology, geography) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'cordillera']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a long, knotted CORD connecting a row of mountains. CORD-I-LLERA.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CORDILLERA IS A BACKBONE (e.g., 'the backbone of the continent').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise definition of a 'cordillera'?