Latin America

[lat-n uh-mer-i-kuh]

noun

1. the part of the American continents south of the United States in which Spanish, Portuguese, or French is officially spoken.

Latin America

noun

1. those areas of America whose official languages are Spanish and Portuguese, derived from Latin: South America, Central America, Mexico, and certain islands in the Caribbean

Latin America

1. A term applied to all of the Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking nations south of the United States.

Other Word Forms

• Latin American adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Latin America¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, in Latin America, the mournful tones of traditional boleros and rancheras gave way to more alternative expressions of heartache, influenced by anglophone artists and accented with distinctly Latino flourishes of romance.

From Los Angeles Times

As if to underscore the point, the Pentagon ordered 4,000 Marines and sailors to the waters of Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside Navy destroyers, reconnaissance aircraft and a nuclear-powered missile cruiser.

From Los Angeles Times

Elsewhere, including in Latin America, RT is also attempting to expand its reach.

From BBC

While exact figures are not available, many applicants from Latin America say they have been driven out by cartel violence, which has soared in several countries, including Ecuador.

From BBC

County contract was a hugely important win for Smartmatic, which was popular in Latin America but struggled to gain a foothold in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times