sierra
mountain range
noun SYEH-rrah Rare
Origin: From Latin serra (saw), because jagged mountain ridges resemble a saw blade.
Also means
saw
Usage Note
Sierra has two core meanings: a mountain range with a jagged profile (la Sierra Nevada, la Sierra Madre) and a saw (sierra eléctrica — electric saw, sierra de mano — handsaw). In geography, sierra implies a rugged, serrated ridge rather than a smooth range. The word also appears in many place names across Spain and Latin America.
Examples
"Pasamos el fin de semana esquiando en la sierra."
Natural Translation
We spent the weekend skiing in the mountains.
Related Words
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