native American

¹ American  

noun

1. a person born in the United States.

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Native American ² American  

[ney-tiv uh-mer-i-kuhn] / ˈneɪ tɪv əˈmɛr ɪ kən /

noun

1. Indian.

2. a member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the Americas, including Indians and non-Indians.

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Native American British  

noun

1. A member of the indigenous peoples of North America

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Native Americans or any of their languages

Sensitive Note

See Indian, Eskimo.

Other Word Forms

• native-American adjective

Etymology

Origin of native American

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

MINNEAPOLIS—Tensions are rising between the Department of Homeland Security and one of the largest indigenous tribes in the U.S., with tribal leaders saying they think federal agents have arrested several Native American men—all U.S. citizens—amid the immigration-enforcement surge in Minneapolis.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a memorandum to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and other officials, the Oglala Sioux Tribe president said he was informed that agents unlawfully picked up four homeless Native American men living under a bridge last week and are detaining three of them.

From The Wall Street Journal

The neighborhood is known as one of the nation’s biggest urban Native American hubs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Soon after, Elaine Miles, the Native American actress known for her roles in “Northern Exposure” and “The Last of Us,” said ICE officers approached her near a bus stop in Redmond, Wash., and asked for her ID.

From The Wall Street Journal

In recent days, meanwhile, tribes have dispatched members to Minneapolis to ensure Native American residents there have tribal IDs they can show ICE agents.

From The Wall Street Journal