Pacific Islander
Americannoun
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a member or descendant of the Indigenous people of the Pacific Islands.
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(loosely) a native or inhabitant of the Pacific islands.
Etymology
Origin of Pacific Islander
First recorded in 1795–1800
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Among racial and ethnic groups, 62% of Latino voters, 46% of Black voters and 43% of Asian or Pacific Islander voters said they are somewhat or very concerned.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 1, 2026
On a 9-2 vote, the commission backed the council expansion, with supporters saying that smaller ethnic groups, including Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander residents, would be better represented.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 28, 2026
Prosecutors said the company had a 20% partner who’s a Pacific Islander, and the men pretended he’d attained majority ownership and managerial control.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
And the league's attempt to turn this into a lucrative spectator sport contradicts the values of many in the Pacific Islander community, Penaia says.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2025
She looked like a miniature Pacific Islander with dragonfly wings across her back as well as tiny wings on her ankles.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
