Meaning of Indies | Babel Free

Definitions

1. The East Indies, including India, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and adjacent lands.
   plural, plural-only
2. The West Indies, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands of the Caribbean.
   plural, plural-only
3. The Western Hemisphere, during the early period of European colonization and exploration.
   historical, plural, plural-only

Equivalents

Examples

“There followed a remarkable period of maritime expansion by the Portuguese, who by the end of the century would establish a sea route to the Indies, rounding Africa and crossing the Indian Ocean to reach the subcontinent itself and the Spice Islands that lay beyond.”

“the Spanish Indies”

CEFR level