1. plural of caudillo; military leaders or strongmen, especially in Spanish-speaking countries, who rule with authoritarian power
Usage: historical; political; often used in Latin American history

Examples

• The caudillos of 19th-century Latin America often seized power through military coups.
• Many caudillos ruled their regions with little regard for democratic institutions.
• The rise of caudillos in Spain followed the decline of central royal authority.
• Historians study how caudillos maintained control over their territories.
• Several caudillos in Mexico competed for dominance during the post-independence period.
• The era of caudillos gradually gave way to more stable governmental systems.