Am·a·zon ¹ / ˈaməˌzän; -zən/ a river in South America that flows more than 4,150 miles (6,683 km) through Peru, Colombia, and Brazil into the Atlantic Ocean. It drains two-fifths of the continent and, in terms of water-flow, is the largest river in the world.DERIVATIVES: Am·a·zo·ni·an / ˌaməˈzōnēən/ adj. Am·a·zon • n. 1. a member of a legendary race of female warriors believed by the ancient Greeks to exist in Scythia (near the Black Sea in modern Russia) or elsewhere on the edge of the known world. ∎  (also amazon) a tall and strong or athletic woman. 2. (amazon) a parrot (genus Amazona), typically green and with a broad rounded tail, found in Central and South America. DERIVATIVES: Am·a·zo·ni·an adj.

Amazon a member of a legendary race of female warriors believed by the ancient Greeks to exist in Scythia or elsewhere on the edge of the known world; in extended usage, a very tall and strong or athletic woman.

The Amazons, who appear in many Greek legends, were allies of the Trojans in the Trojan War, and their queen, Penthesilea, was killed by Achilles. One of the labours of Hercules was to obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons.

The name comes (in late Middle English, via Latin) from Greek Amazōn, explained by the Greeks as ‘breastless’ (as if from a- ‘without’ + mazos ‘breast’), referring to the fable that the Amazons cut off the right breast so as not to interfere with the use of a bow, but probably a folk etymology of an unknown foreign word.

The Amazon river in South America, which initially bore various names after its discovery in 1500, was finally called Amazon after a legendary race of female warriors believed to live on its banks.

Amazon World's second-longest river (after the Nile), draining the vast rainforest basin of n South America. The Amazon carries by far the greatest volume of water of any river in the world: the average rate of discharge is c.95,000m³ (3,355,000ft³) every second, nearly three times as much as its nearest rival, the Congo. The flow is so great that its silt discolours the water up to 200km (125mi) into the Atlantic. At c.7 million sq km (2.7 million sq mi), the Amazon River basin comprises nearly 40% of the continent of South America. Its tributaries include the Xingu. Length: c.6430km (3990mi).

Amazon In Greek mythology, a race of female warriors who formed a totally matriarchal society. Heracles, Theseus, and other Greek heroes challenged the Amazons. As allies of the Trojans, they took part in the defence of Troy, where their queen Penthesilea was slain by Achilles.

Amazon ★★ 1990 (R)

An adventure movie filmed in the Brazilian rainforest with an environmental message. A businessman being chased by the police in the Amazon jungle is rescued by a bush pilot who dreams of mining the Amazon's riches. A Brazilian woman enters the picture and persuades the businessman to help save the rainforest. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of this film go to the Rainforest Action Network. 88m/C VHS . Kari Vaananen, Robert Davi, Rae Dawn Chong; D: Mika Kaurismaki.