Amazon

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ˈæməzɒn/

Definitions

• Noun: A large river in South America, the largest by discharge of water in the world, flowing through the Amazon rainforest.
• Noun: The Amazon Rainforest, the world's largest tropical rainforest, located in South America.
• Noun: A major online retailer (Amazon.com) based in the United States.

Usage Examples

• "The Amazon River flows through several countries, including Brazil and Peru."
• "The Amazon Rainforest is home to a diverse range of wildlife."
• "I bought the latest tech gadget on Amazon, and it arrived the next day."

Etymology

Originating from the Greek word 'Amazones,' referring to a race of warrior women in Greek mythology. The name was later applied to the river and the forest in South America due to its vast and powerful nature.

Synonyms

• rainforest
• jungle
• river
• web retailer

Antonyms

• desert
• dryland

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "Amazon" is generally consistent worldwide, though regional accents may influence slight variations, particularly with vowel sounds.

Historical Usage

The term "Amazon" has been used since the 16th century to refer to the river. The name was adopted by the early Spanish and Portuguese explorers and is derived from the mythical Greek Amazons, known for their strength and vast reach. The word 'Amazon' came to represent the expansive river and surrounding forests, emphasizing its vastness and awe-inspiring nature.

Cultural Nuances

The word "Amazon" has come to symbolize the power and mystery of the natural world, particularly in Western and global contexts. It is also closely associated with environmental activism, highlighting the importance of the Amazon rainforest in global climate regulation.

More Information

The Amazon Rainforest is often called the "lungs of the planet," as it produces 20% of the world’s oxygen. The term "Amazon" is also associated with a global technology company (Amazon.com) that has revolutionized retail and cloud computing, with a massive impact on global commerce and logistics.