cenote

noun

ce·​no·​te si-ˈnō-tē How to pronounce cenote (audio)
: a deep sinkhole in limestone with a pool at the bottom that is found especially in Yucatán

Examples of cenote in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The spa’s architecture mimics a cenote, which are natural underground pools which were once used for Mayan ceremonies. Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Tren Maya promises to take travelers through remarkable landscapes, home to geological features like cenotes—but these fragile environments require careful navigation. Laura Sanders, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Dec. 2023 The spa is also tied to history and is centered around a cenote, a sinkhole surrounded by rocks that was used by the Mayans. Mary Holland, AFAR Media, 19 Dec. 2024 Get to Bacalar’s cenotes and jungles before the town becomes as popular as its northern neighbors. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cenote 

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from Yucatec ts'onot

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cenote was in 1841

Dictionary Entries Near cenote

Cite this Entry

“Cenote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cenote. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

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