Indo-Pacific

American  

[in-doh-puh-sif-ik] / ˈɪn doʊ pəˈsɪf ɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans off the coast of southeast Asia.

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noun

1. a proposed linguistic family including all the non-Austronesian languages of the Pacific peoples.

Indo-Pacific British  

adjective

1. of or relating to the region of the Indian and W Pacific Oceans off the coast of SE Asia

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noun

1. a hypothetical family of languages relating the languages of New Guinea other than Malayo-Polynesian. Tentative affiliations with Malayo-Polynesian or Australian languages have been suggested

Etymology

Origin of Indo-Pacific

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

"The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been inflicting enormous impact on the Indo-Pacific," the Japanese leader told journalists.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Last year, the US decided to reduce its troop presence in Romania, as part of Trump's plan to shift the focus of US military commitment from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

"Both nations reaffirm their shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific," the statement said.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

“A determined adversary,” said David Brewster, who researches Indo-Pacific maritime security at Australian National University, “can still cut the cable relatively easily in shallow waters.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The explanation of this complete separation of the South-eastern marine fauna of Australia from that of the North-eastern or Indo-Pacific portion, may be explained by reference to the distribution of currents along the Australian shores.

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 2 by MacGillivray, John