1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a cordillera (a system of mountain ranges)
Usage: often capitalized when referring to specific geological regions; commonly used in geology and geography
2. of or relating to the Cordilleran orogeny, a major period of mountain building in western North America during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras
Usage: geological/technical term; capitalized

Examples

• The cordilleran landscape of the western United States features dramatic peaks and deep valleys.
• Geologists study cordilleran rock formations to understand ancient tectonic activity.
• The Cordilleran orogeny shaped the geology of North America over millions of years.
• Cordilleran mountain systems extend from Canada through Central America.
• The region's cordilleran terrain makes it rich in mineral deposits.