Native American

¹

[ney-tiv uh-mer-i-kuhn]

noun

1. Indian.

2. a member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the Americas, including Indians and non-Indians.

native American

²

noun

1. a person born in the United States.

Native American

noun

1. A member of the indigenous peoples of North America

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Native Americans or any of their languages

Sensitive Note

See Indian, Eskimo.

Other Word Forms

• native-American adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Native American¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

The team won three Super Bowls while known by a name which is considered offensive to Native Americans and was dropped in 2020.

From BBC

Later, he worked with University of California President Michael V. Drake on a Native American remains repatriation program.

From Los Angeles Times

But the Native American tribes that the Spaniards tried to eradicate are still here.

From Los Angeles Times

A glance at U.S. history reveals major atrocities: The displacement and murder of Native Americans, slavery and all too many imperial misadventures abroad.

From Salon

Particularly in Latino and Native American communities, Americans increasingly fear that their citizenship will not protect them from being swept up in DHS’s immigration enforcement activities.”

From Los Angeles Times