'Cordillera' definitions:

Definition of 'Cordillera'

From: GCIDE

Cordillera \Cor*dil"ler*a\ (k[^o]r*d[i^]l"l[~e]r*[.a]; Sp. k[^o]r`d[-e]*ly[asl]"r[.a]), n. [Sp., fr. OSp. cordilla, cordiella, dim. of cuerda a rope, string. See Cord.] (Geol.) A mountain ridge or chain. [1913 Webster]
Note: Cordillera is sometimes applied, in geology, to the system of mountain chains near the border of a continent; thus, the western cordillera of North America in the United States includes the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Coast and Cascade ranges. [1913 Webster]