the strait separating South America from Tierra del Fuego and other islands south of the continent; discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520; an important route around South American before the Panama Canal was built.

• 分割南美洲大陆南端和火地岛等岛屿；年被麦哲伦发现；巴拿马运河修建之前环绕南美洲的一个重要水道。