English Lexicon

Pampas

/ˈpæmpəz/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #25400 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The vast, treeless grassy plains of South America, particularly occupying parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil.

    "Gauchos traditionally herd cattle across the vast green expanses of the pampas."
  2. 2

    Used specifically or attributively to refer to certain ornamental grasses native to these regions, such as pampas grass.

    "Tall stalks of pampas grass swayed gently in the autumn breeze along the garden fence."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Borrowed into English in the early 19th century directly from Spanish, where it derives from the Quechua word 'pampa', meaning 'plain' or 'flat expanse'. Originally used by explorers and naturalists to describe the vast South American lowlands, the term expanded in geographical and ecological literature to denote similar temperate grassland biomes.

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