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Definition of paektu
paektu
/ˈpɛk.tuː/
Paek · tu
paektu Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
An active stratovolcano located on the border between North Korea and China, representing the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula and holding profound mythological, cultural, and political significance as the legendary birthplace of the Korean people.
Example
"According to ancient Korean mythology, the founder of the first Korean kingdom descended from Heaven to the summit of Mount Paektu."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for paektuWord Nuance & Usage
Almost exclusively capitalized as a proper noun (Paektu or Mount Paektu); in Chinese contexts, the same geographical feature is referred to as Changbai Mountain.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Sino-Korean 'Paektu' (백두, 白頭), literally meaning 'white head', referencing the pumice and snow-capped summit of the mountain.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Paektu. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/paektu