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Definition of esmeraldas
esmeraldas
/ˌɛz.məˈrɑːl.dəs/
es · me · ral · das
esmeraldas Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A coastal province in northwestern Ecuador, known for its Afro-Ecuadorian culture, tropical climate, and extensive maritime trade.
Example
"Many anthropologists and tourists visit the province of Esmeraldas to experience its vibrant marimba music and unique coastal heritage."
2
A major port city in northwestern Ecuador, situated on the Pacific coast at the mouth of the Esmeraldas River.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From the Spanish word 'esmeraldas', meaning 'emeralds'. The region and city in Ecuador were named by 16th-century Spanish explorers who reportedly encountered indigenous people adorned with emeralds.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Esmeraldas. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/esmeraldas