Native American

¹

[ney-tiv uh-mer-i-kuhn]

noun

1. Indian.

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

native American

²

noun

1. a person born in the United States.

Native American

noun

1. A member of the indigenous peoples of North America

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of Native American¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Mustangs were tapped for Native American rodeos and relay races, she added.

From Los Angeles Times

This left Davids to contend with a larger, more rural and more conservative electorate — one that Republicans hoped would reject the liberal, openly gay Democrat and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe.

From Salon

By coincidence, Terra Madre launches on the same day, Friday, that California tribes hold their 58th annual California Native American Day — a mixture of networking, information-sharing and cultural activities — at the state Capitol.

From Los Angeles Times

Out of desperation she turned to Native American music, one of his favourite genres to relax to.

From BBC

The Santa Monica native lobbied for various environmental causes onscreen and off, including Native American rights, offshore oil drilling and global warming.

From Los Angeles Times