pyrenees: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Geographical (formal), Literary/Figurative
Quick answer
What does “pyrenees” mean?
A mountain range in southwestern Europe, forming a natural border between France and Spain.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mountain range in southwestern Europe, forming a natural border between France and Spain.
Used figuratively to refer to a significant barrier, obstacle, or dividing line, especially one that is difficult to cross.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British English may have slightly more frequent exposure due to proximity and travel contexts.
Connotations
Neutral geographical term. In figurative use, connotes a formidable, ancient, and defining barrier.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects, primarily encountered in geographical, historical, or travel contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pyrenees” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] lies/stands/stretches across the Pyrenees.They hiked through/over/across the Pyrenees.A barrier like the Pyrenees [VERB]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pyrenees” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The path pyrenees its way through the steep valleys. (invented, poetic)
American English
- N/A - not standard verb use.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The Pyrenean climate is quite distinct. (Note: derivative 'Pyrenean' is standard.)
American English
- We studied the Pyrenees geology. (noun used attributively)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in tourism or logistics ('Our new route bypasses the Pyrenees.').
Academic
Common in geography, history, European studies, and geology texts.
Everyday
In travel planning or discussing European geography.
Technical
In geology (orogenesis of the Pyrenees), climatology (rain shadow effect).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pyrenees”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pyrenees”
- Using lowercase for the proper noun ('hiking in the pyrenees').
- Misspelling as 'Pyrennes' or 'Pirenees'.
- Using indefinite article ('a Pyrenees') for the mountain range.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always 'the Pyrenees', like 'the Alps' or 'the Himalayas'. It's a plural proper noun for a mountain range.
Rarely and only in a figurative, often literary sense (e.g., 'She faced a pyrenees of paperwork'). In standard usage, it is a proper noun.
The Pyrenees are a range separating France and Spain, generally lower and more compact than the Alps, which are a larger, central European range spanning several countries.
The standard adjective is 'Pyrenean' (e.g., Pyrenean flora, Pyrenean brown bear).
A mountain range in southwestern Europe, forming a natural border between France and Spain.
Pyrenees is usually geographical (formal), literary/figurative in register.
Pyrenees: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɪr.əˈniːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪr.ə.niːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to make a Pyrenees out of a molehill (rare, humorous variant)”
- “a Pyrenees to climb (figurative, a major challenge)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a giant PIE being RENOVATED by engineers (engineers) on a steep mountain border between France and Spain.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BARRIER IS THE PYRENEES ('The political disagreement became a Pyrenees between the two departments.'), A CHALLENGE IS A MOUNTAIN RANGE TO CROSS ('The final year of research was her Pyrenees.')
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, 'a Pyrenees' most likely refers to: