1. A watchtower or lookout tower, especially one used for surveillance or defense in Spanish or Spanish-American contexts.
Usage: Often used in historical or architectural contexts; More common in Spanish-language sources; less frequently used in modern English

Examples

• The atalaya stood on the hilltop, allowing guards to spot approaching enemies from miles away.
• Medieval fortifications often included an atalaya for early warning of invasions.
• The old atalaya overlooked the valley and the trade routes below.
• Archaeologists discovered the ruins of an atalaya dating back to the 16th century.
• From the atalaya, sentries could monitor the entire frontier region.