Quechua

noun

Que·​chua ˈke-chə-wə How to pronounce Quechua (audio)
ˈkech-wə
plural Quechua or Quechuas
1
: a family of languages spoken by Indian peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina
2
a
: a member of an Indian people of central Peru
b
: a group of peoples forming the dominant element of the Inca Empire
Quechuan
ˈke-chə-wən How to pronounce Quechua (audio)
ˈkech-wən
adjective or noun

Examples of Quechua in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The first year, students would have learned the Quechua language, which was largely spoken by the elites. — Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2024 Lenin Tamayo, middle, fuses Quechua language with the beats and fashion of K-pop to make Quechua pop, or Q-pop. — Sisa Quispe, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, probably from Southern Peruvian Quechua qheswa (simi), literally, valley speech

First Known Use

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Quechua was in 1688

Browse Nearby Words

Quebradillas
Quechua
queechy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quechua.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Quechua. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Quechua

noun
Que·​chua ˈkech-(ə-)wə How to pronounce Quechua (audio)
kə-ˈchü-ə
plural Quechua or Quechuas
: a family of closely related languages spoken by Indigenous peoples of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina

More from Merriam-Webster on Quechua

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Quechua

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