Han

¹ American  

[hahn] / hɑn /

noun

1. a dynasty in China, 206 b.c.–a.d. 220, with an interregnum, a.d. 9–25: characterized by consolidation of the centralized imperial state and territorial expansion.

2. a river flowing from central China into the Yangtze at Hankow. 900 miles (1,450 km) long.

3. the Chinese people in general, especially those not of Mongol, Manchu, Tibetan, or other non-Chinese extraction.

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Han ² American  

[hahn, huhn] / hɑn, hʌn /

noun

Hans plural

1. a member of a group of Indigenous people inhabiting the Yukon River drainage basin near the Alaska-Canada border.

2. the Athabascan language of the Han.

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Han ¹ British  

/ hæn /

noun

1. the imperial dynasty that ruled China for most of the time from 206 _bc to 221 _ad , expanding its territory and developing its bureaucracy

2. the Chinese people as contrasted to Mongols, Manchus, etc

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Han ² British  

/ hæn /

noun

1. a river in E central China, rising in S Shaanxi and flowing southeast through Hubei to the Yangtze River at Wuhan. Length: about 1450 km (900 miles)

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Etymology

Origin of Han

From Kutchin han-gwičin “river dwellers”

Example Sentences

“Pizza Pals Play Zone is super character dense,” says Han Sayles, Meow Wolf’s director of artist collaboration.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Writing in the journal Science, Associate Professor Grace Han and her research team describe a new material capable of absorbing sunlight, storing that energy in chemical bonds, and later releasing it as heat whenever needed.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

A red carpet was rolled out at the bottom of the aircraft’s stairs with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng awaiting Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

When Trump exited the plane on Wednesday evening, he was greeted by Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, one of China's top leaders.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

“If that’s true, we’ll need to put her on antibiotics right away,” Dr. Han replied.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh