Mexican American

American  

[mek-si-kuhn-uh-mer-i-kuhn] / ˈmɛk sɪ kən əˈmɛr ɪ kən /

noun

1. a citizen or resident of the U.S. of Mexican birth or descent; Chicano.

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adjective

1. of or relating to Mexican Americans or their culture; Chicano.

2. Mexican-American, occurring between the United States and Mexico.

   The trade agreement lead to an increase in eighteen-wheelers crossing the Mexican-American border.

Etymology

Origin of Mexican American

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

In 1969, he became the first professor in CSUN’s Mexican American studies department, now called the Chicano and Chicana Studies Department, which became an incubator for Latino activism in L.A. and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

When the professor’s job application was rejected, more than 500 students, many from the Mexican American student group MEChA, converged on campus to protest the university’s decision.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

She likened it to Whittier Boulevard, a touchstone of Mexican American culture in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

The Mexican American singer got her start in mariachi, eventually learning piano, guitar, violin and vihuela.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

“Mexican and Mexican American bands and singers we love. We put them right up there to honor them.”

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez