American Indian

American  

noun

1. Indian.

2. Amerind. AmerInd

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American Indian British  

noun

1. Also called: Native American.  a member of any of the indigenous peoples of North, Central, or South America, esp those of North America

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adjective

1. Also: Amerindian.  of or relating to any of these peoples, their languages, or their cultures

Sensitive Note

See Indian.

Usage

This term is still acceptable and is widely used by American Indians themselves. The most accepted phrase in general use nowadays is Native American

Etymology

Origin of American Indian

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

American Indian

American Indian and Alaska Native people now have the highest cancer death rates in the country, with deaths from kidney, liver, stomach and cervical cancers about double that of white Americans.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 14, 2026

Previous Stanford-led research showed that long-term NO2 exposure is 60 percent higher in American Indian and Alaska Native households and 20 percent higher in Black and Hispanic or Latino households compared to the national average.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 3, 2025

The announcement follows a mid-November meeting with King and members of the Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, a US-based group dedicated to exposing people who falsely claim American Indian heritage.

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025

Mr. Hedren is at his best when he relates the American Indian versions of the 1876 battles of the Rosebud and Little Big Horn, the two principal clashes of the Great Sioux War.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

He finds the term “African-American” too limiting, since it doesn’t reflect his white and American Indian heritage.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson