nomad

American  

[noh-mad] / ˈnoʊ mæd /

noun

1. a member of a people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves about from place to place, usually seasonally and often following a traditional route or circuit according to the state of the pasturage or food supply.

2. any wanderer; itinerant.

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adjective

1. nomadic.

nomad British  

/ ˈnəʊmæd /

noun

1. a member of a people or tribe who move from place to place to find pasture and food

2. a person who continually moves from place to place; wanderer

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Other Word Forms

• nomadism noun
• nonnomad noun
• seminomad noun
• seminomadism noun

Etymology

Origin of nomad

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin nomad-, from Greek, stem of nomás “roaming about for pasture,” akin to némein “to pasture, graze”

Example Sentences

Multiple battles with Claudius’ henchmen pepper Scarlet and Hijiri’s journey, as does an encounter with the United Nations of this place: a group of wandering nomads from around the world who’ve come together for companionship.

From Los Angeles Times

But the most stylish delegation in this global capital of fashion will be the one wearing a cashmere collection inspired by warriors on horseback, nomads in yurts and the strength of history’s most sprawling empire.

From The Wall Street Journal

His mom always said that moving all the time—being nomads, she called it—was an adventure, and he went along with it, but really, he hated moving, hated starting a new school.

From Literature

Mexico City is attracting food lovers and digital nomads from all over the world.

From Los Angeles Times

It said that, as of Thursday, 11 of the nomads initially detained continued to be held.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• migrant
• pilgrim
• vagabond
• wanderer