# Inca

/ˈɪŋkə/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inca
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the people or empire

noun · CEFR B2

a person from the powerful empire in South America that existed before the Spanish conquest.

For teachers: a member of the Quechuan peoples of highland Peru who established an empire stretching from Ecuador to Chile before the Spanish conquest.

- The Inca built amazing stone cities high in the Andes mountains.
- Archaeologists continue to study how the Inca managed such a vast territory without a formal written language.

### 2. the ruler

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the king or emperor who ruled over the Inca people.

For teachers: the title of the supreme ruler or emperor of the Incan Empire.

- The Sapa Inca was considered a god by his people.
- The capture of the reigning Inca by Spanish forces led to the rapid collapse of the imperial administration.

### 3. a type of bird

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of colourful hummingbird found in South America.

For teachers: any of several species of hummingbirds belonging to the genus Coeligena, native to the Andes.

- We saw a beautiful Bronzy Inca hovering near the tropical flowers.
- The Collared Inca is easily identified by the stark white patch on its chest against its dark plumage.

## Examples

- The Inca built incredible cities high in the mountains.
- Archaeologists continue to study how the Inca managed to transport massive stones to build the walls of Machu Picchu.
- The administrative sophistication of the Inca allowed them to govern a diverse population across thousands of miles of rugged terrain using a complex system of knotted strings for record-keeping.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.