Aztec

noun

Az·​tec ˈaz-ˌtek 

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

: nahuatl

Aztecan

ˈaz-ˌte-kən 

ˌaz-ˈte-

adjective

Examples of Aztec in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From Ohio’s Serpent Mound to Arizona’s Petrified Forest and the Aztec Ruins in New Mexico, there are a few excellent examples of locations that respond to the sunlight. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Pavana Nagaraj is the only Aztec who qualified in a field event, ranking 21st with a best jump of 20 feet, 9 inches. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025

The ship, named after the last Aztec emperor, and its crew are a diplomatic symbol of Mexico abroad, according to the fact sheet. —Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 20 May 2025

Named after the last Aztec emperor, who was executed by the Spanish conquerors in 1525, it was built in Spain in 1981 and acquired by the Mexican Navy to train cadets and officers. —Michelle Watson, CNN Money, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish azteca, from Nahuatl aztēcah, plural of aztēcatl

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for Aztec

• breakneck
• codec
• exec
• mixtec
• paycheck
• pinchbeck
• recheck
• redneck
• toltec
• beck
• breck
• check

Kids Definition

Aztec

noun

Az·​tec ˈaz-ˌtek 

: a member of an Indigenous people that ruled a large empire in Mexico in the 15th-16th centuries