Maori
Americannoun
plural
Maoris,plural
Maori-
a member of the Native Polynesian population of New Zealand.
-
a Polynesian language, the language of the Maoris.
adjective
noun
-
a member of the people living in New Zealand and the Cook Islands since before the arrival of European settlers. They are descended from Polynesian voyagers who migrated in successive waves from the ninth century onwards
-
the language of this people, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family
adjective
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Inevitably it will happen,” said Mike Tavioni, who runs a carving and arts workshop dedicated to preserving Cook Islands Maori life.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
As was the case six years ago, the response to the traditional Maori challenge was the prelude to a memorable win -- just England's ninth in 47 Tests against the All Blacks spanning 120 years.
From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025
Lowe played for the Maori All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, before switching to Irish province Leinster later that year, aged 25.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2025
In rugby union, regulations prevent opposing teams crossing the halfway line while New Zealand are performing the Maori war dance.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2024
The modern Maori are descendants of Polynesian farmers who colonized New Zealand around A.D.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
