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Definition of cauca
cauca
/ˈkaʊkə/
cau · ca
cauca Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
South American A major river in Colombia that flows northwards between the Occidental and Central cordilleras of the Andes before joining the Magdalena River.
2
South American A department in southwestern Colombia, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, known for its diverse geography ranging from Andean peaks to coastal lowlands.
Example
"The department of Cauca has a rich cultural heritage and a significant indigenous population."
• Rhymes for cauca
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from indigenous languages of southwestern Colombia, originally the name of the river and the native peoples who inhabited its surrounding valley before Spanish colonization.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cauca. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cauca