panama
n. countablen. a country in Central America that connects North and South America. It is famous for its canal that lets ships travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
n. a sovereign nation located on the isthmus connecting North and South America. Often used metonymically to refer to its famous interoceanic canal or its role as a global shipping and financial hub.
The ship traveled through Panama to reach the other ocean.
Many international companies choose to base their regional headquarters in Panama due to its central location and modern infrastructure.
The strategic importance of Panama was cemented by the completion of the canal, which fundamentally altered global trade routes by eliminating the need for the long journey around Cape Horn.
Borrowed from Spanish Panamá, of unknown origin. Possibly from a Chibchan language such as Kuna, or another indigenous language of the region (such as Cueva, which is barely attested and is now extinct).
When referring to the country, it is a proper noun and does not take an article; when referring to the hat, it is a common countable noun.