las
n.n. the word for 'the' in Spanish when you are talking about more than one woman or feminine thing. You will see this in city names like Las Vegas.
n. the feminine plural definite article in Spanish. Frequently appears in English contexts within toponyms or loan phrases.
We are planning a trip to Las Vegas this winter.
Many cities in the American Southwest, such as Las Cruces, retain their original Spanish names using the feminine plural article.
The use of the article in names like Las Vegas—meaning 'the meadows'—serves as a linguistic reminder of the region's historical Spanish colonial influence and agricultural past.
Used before feminine plural nouns in Spanish; in English, it is almost exclusively found in proper nouns or specific cultural references.