Amazon River
/ˈæm.ə.zən ˈrɪv.ər/noun
The immense river system in South America that flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Did you know?Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana reportedly named the river Río de las Amazonas after describing battles with Indigenous women warriors, comparing them to the Amazons of Greek mythology.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Ἀμαζόνες (Amazónes)
“The Amazons, legendary warrior women; the deeper origin of the name is uncertain.”
16th Century
Spanish
Amazonas
“The Amazons; applied to the South American river after European reports of female warriors.”
1541
Spanish
Río de las Amazonas
“River of the Amazons, the name associated with Francisco de Orellana’s expedition.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Rio Amazonas
“Amazon River; the Portuguese form adopted for the major river system.”
Modern English
English
Amazon River
“The principal river of the Amazon Basin, flowing across South America into the Atlantic.”