Navajo

or Nav·a·ho

[nav-uh-hoh, nah-vuh-]

noun, plural Nav·a·jos, Nav·a·joes, (especially collectively) Nav·a·jo for 1.

a member of the principal tribe of the southern division of the Athabaskan stock of North American Indians, located in New Mexico and Arizona, and now constituting the largest tribal group in the U.S.

the Athabaskan language of the Navajo.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of the Navajo, their language, or their culture: a Navajo blanket.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for navajos

Historical Examples of navajos

After the Navajos had gone to rest we listened to some Mormon songs by Jacob's party.
A Canyon Voyage
Frederick S. Dellenbaugh
He was accompanied by friendly Pai Utes, who hated the Navajos.
A Canyon Voyage
Frederick S. Dellenbaugh
Then I buy blankets of the Navajos, which they make dirt cheap now.
Justin Wingate, Ranchman
John H. Whitson
I have business to see after far away, beyond the country of the Navajos.
Lone Pine
R. B. (Richard Baxter) Townshend
Why, if the Navajos was to run off his sheep it'd bust him wide open.
Lone Pine
R. B. (Richard Baxter) Townshend

Word Origin and History for navajos

Navajo

Athabaskan people and language, 1780, from Spanish Apaches de Nabaju (1629), from Tewa (Tanoan) Navahu, said to mean literally "large field" or "large planted field," containing nava "field" and hu "valley." Spanish Navajo was used 17c. in reference to the area now in northwestern New Mexico.

navajos in Culture

Navajos

[(nav-uh-hohz, nah-vuh-hohz)]

A tribe of Native Americans, the most numerous in the United States. The Navajos have reservations in the Southwest.

Note

The Navajos were forced to move by United States troops under Kit Carson in 1864. They call the march, on which many died, the Long Walk.

Note

Today, they are known for their houses, called hogans, made of logs and earth; for their work as ranchers and shepherds; and for their skill in weaving distinctive blankets and fashioning turquoise and silver jewelry.