a member of the Native Polynesian population of New Zealand.
a Polynesian language, the language of the Maoris.
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
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
Maori scrum-half Sam Nock scored in the opening minute before Harry Paterson dotted down an Ollie Smith grubber-kick that unlocked the hosts' blitz defence.
From BBC • Jul. 5, 2025
This year in Aotearoa, also known as New Zealand, the mountain Taranaki Maunga was recognized as a legal person because the Maori see it as an ancestor.
From Salon • Mar. 12, 2025
Whatever they are called, the Musket/Potato Wars proved very destructive, killing about one-quarter of the original Maori population.
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.
