1. a system or group of parallel mountain ranges together with the plateaus and other features that accompany them
Usage: geography

Examples

• The Andes form the longest cordillera in the world.
• The Rocky Mountain cordillera extends from Canada to New Mexico.
• Scientists studied the geological formation of the Pacific cordillera.
• The cordillera creates a natural barrier between the coastal and inland regions.
• Many rivers originate in the high peaks of the cordillera.
• The cordillera’s snow-capped summits are visible from great distances.