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.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon feted his guest with an indigenous Maori welcome and guard of honour, seeking to expand relations after signing a free-trade pact in April that he has touted as an economic boon.
From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026
When a psychologically damaged mute boy named Simon breaks into her tower, she is pulled into his life as well as that of his Maori foster father, Joe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
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
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
The Moriori reverted to being hunter-gatherers, while the North Island Maori turned to more intensive farming.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Te Arikinui was crowned in 2024 after the death of her father - becoming only the second Māori queen, the first being her grandmother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.
From BBC ● May 15, 2026
A statement released after the meeting from the Kīngitanga said the Māori queen discussed a range of global topics with Prince William.
From BBC ● May 15, 2026
But as Te Haumihiata Mason, a translator working in Māori, points out to Mr. Hahn, in New Zealand few plants bud in May, so an inelastic approach here risks puzzling the audience.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 2026
“Mārama,” a striking feature debut by Taratoa Stappard, bills itself as a Māori gothic and the combination works.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2025
However, Māori as a group constitute almost 18 percent of New Zealand’s population.
From Slate ● Aug. 8, 2025
At the start of each game, the players do a version of the “haka,” an indigenous dance of the Maoris.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2018
The multivenue show includes art from Japan, the Pacific islands, Maoris and local artists — as well as a few requisite stars, like Yayoi Kusama.
From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2016
Besides the prominence of the Union Jack, many criticise their flag for making no nod to indigenous Maoris.
From Economist ● Oct. 30, 2014
Once the domain of sailors and Maoris and now a staple for younger Americans of all ethnicities and professions, tattoos are trickling up to the older set.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 21, 2013
North American Plains Indians, South American Araucanian Indians, New Zealand’s Maoris, and Ethiopians acquired guns and used them to hold off European conquest for a long time, though they were ultimately defeated.
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.
