Native American

[ ney-tivuh-mer-i-kuhn ]

/ ˈneɪ tɪv əˈmɛr ɪ kən /

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noun

Indian (def. 1).

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

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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usage note for Native American

See Indian, Eskimo.

Words nearby Native American

Nation of Islam, nation-state, nationwide, native, native advertising, Native American, Native Americans, native bear, native-born, native bush, native Canadian

Other definitions for Native American (2 of 2)

native American

noun

a person born in the United States.

Origin of native American

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

OTHER WORDS FROM native American

na·tive-A·mer·i·can, adjective

How to use Native American in a sentence

Hornbuckle, on the other hand, says the policy will not put Native American nations in danger.
Tribes to U.S. Government: Take Your Weed and Shove It|Abby Haglage|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to Vieira, most of the bones unearthed had to be reburied in accordance with the Native American Repatriation Act.
Hunting for a Real-Life Hagrid|Nina Strochlic|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For instance, South Dakota celebrates a Native American Day, while Alaska opts instead for Alaska Day on Oct. 18.
Keep the Holiday, Lose Columbus|Carrie Gibson|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When he returned, the slave had died and so had the young Native American, who no one knew was in the home.
New York’s Scariest Night Out: The Ghosts, Rats, and Lunatics of ‘Nightmare New York’|Justin Jones|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A bunch of Native American kids from the rez are the basketball kings of Wyoming.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All Native American words have been kept as originally printed, including those with variation in hyphenation or spelling.
Folk-Lore and Legends: North American Indian|Anonymous
The Senator inveighs against the Native American party; but his own principle is narrower than any attributed to them.
Charles Sumner; his complete works, volume 5 (of 20)|Charles Sumner
Nor am I reviving what may be called the old Native American cry, for we have outlived that.
'America for Americans!'|John Philip Newman
During the Native American excitement of 18—, the Marbleheaders entered into the movement with enthusiasm.
Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast|Samuel Adams Drake
For a time the Native American party seemed likely to take the place of the moribund Whig party.
Stephen A. Douglas|Allen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for Native American

Native American

noun

A member of the indigenous peoples of North America

adjective

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012