Peru

[puh-roo]

noun

1. Spanish Perú. a republic in western South America. 496,222 sq. mi. (1,285,215 sq. km). Lima.

2. a city in north-central Indiana.

3. a city in northern Illinois.

Peru

/ pəˈruː /

noun

1. a republic in W South America, on the Pacific: the centre of the great Inca Empire when conquered by the Spanish in 1532; gained independence in 1824 by defeating Spanish forces with armies led by San Martín and Bolívar; consists of a coastal desert, rising to the Andes; an important exporter of minerals and a major fishing nation. Official languages: Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Official religion: Roman Catholic. Currency: nuevo sol. Capital: Lima. Pop: 29 849 303 (2013 est). Area: 1 285 215 sq km (496 222 sq miles)

Peru

1. Republic in western South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ecuador to the northwest, Colombia to the northeast, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south. Its capital and largest city is Lima.

Peru was the heart of the Inca Empire, which flourished from the twelfth to the sixteenth centuries. The remains of the empire include the fabled stone fortress of Machu Picchu.

Achieved independence from Spain in 1821.

Other Word Forms

• Peruvian adjective
• non-Peruvian adjective

Example Sentences

A man accused of killing his wife and dumping her body in the Angeles National Forest before fleeing with their children has been detained in Peru.

From Los Angeles Times

A husband accused of killing his wife and dumping her body in the Angeles National Forest before fleeing the country with their children has been detained in Peru, officials announced Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Cabrera was detained twice after leaving the country — once in Mexico and once in Peru — but was released because he hadn’t yet been charged with a crime, according to Lt.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials are now searching for her husband, whom they say fled to Peru with the couple’s three children.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, Peru adopted a statute of limitations for crimes against humanity committed before 2002, effectively shutting down hundreds of investigations into alleged crimes committed during the fighting.

From BBC