Chile

UK: 'Chile', 'chile': /ˈtʃɪli/

US: /ˈtʃɪli/

US: 'Chile': (chil′ē; Sp. chē′le); 'chile': (chil′ē)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Chile / ˈtʃɪlɪ/ noun

1. a republic in South America, on the Pacific, with a total length of about 4090 km (2650 miles) and an average width of only 177 km (110 miles): gained independence from Spain in 1818; the government of President Allende (elected 1970) attempted the implementation of Marxist policies within a democratic system until overthrown by a military coup (1973); democracy restored 1988. Chile consists chiefly of the Andes in the east, the Atacama Desert in the north, a central fertile region, and a huge S region of almost uninhabitable mountains, glaciers, fjords, and islands; an important producer of copper, iron ore, nitrates, etc. Language: Spanish. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: peso. Capitals: Santiago and Valparaíso (seat of National Congress). Pop: 18 054 726 (2017 est). Area: 756 945 sq km (292 256 sq miles)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

chil•e /ˈtʃɪli/   n., pl. chil•es. 

1. Plant Biology, Food chili.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

chil•e  (chil′ē), n. 

1. Plant Biology, Food chili.

Chil•e  (chil′ē; Sp. chē′le), n. 

1. Place Names a republic in SW South America, on the Pacific Coast. 14,508,168;
   286,396 sq. mi. (741,765 sq. km). Cap.: Santiago.

Chil′e•an, adj., n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

chile / ˈtʃɪlɪ/ noun

1. a variant spelling of chilli