Aztec

noun

Az·​tec ˈaz-ˌtek How to pronounce Aztec (audio)
1
a
: a member of a Nahuatl-speaking people that founded the Mexican empire conquered by Cortes in 1519
b
: a member of any people under Aztec influence
2
Aztecan
ˈaz-ˌte-kən How to pronounce Aztec (audio)
ˌaz-ˈte-
adjective

Examples of Aztec in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Number of Tourists in 2024: 45 million From ancient Aztec ruins to the colonial charm of Oaxaca, Mexico grabs you by the senses and doesn’t let go. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 Last, running the Aztec Ruins test in GFXBench, which tallies GPU horsepower, saw the Razr+ deliver 65 frames per second (fps). PC Magazine, 21 July 2025 Performers are from Viet Steps, Bay Area Aztec Dancers and Sri Thillai Natya Palli Classical Dance School. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 13 July 2025 In June, Aztec Airways began offering flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to the Abacos. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for Aztec

Word History

Etymology

Spanish azteca, from Nahuatl aztēcah, plural of aztēcatl

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Aztec was in 1810

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Cite this Entry

“Aztec.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Aztec. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

Aztec

noun
Az·​tec ˈaz-ˌtek How to pronounce Aztec (audio)
: a member of an Indigenous people that ruled a large empire in Mexico in the 15th-16th centuries

More from Merriam-Webster on Aztec

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