Pacific Islander

American  

[puh-sif-ik ahy-luhn-der] / pəˈsɪf ɪk ˈaɪ lən dər /

noun

1. a member or descendant of the Indigenous people of the Pacific Islands.

2. (loosely) a native or inhabitant of the Pacific islands.

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Etymology

Origin of Pacific Islander

First recorded in 1795–1800

Example Sentences

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

For CAPE, the world’s longest-running nonprofit creating opportunities for Asian and Pacific Islander artists, actors and storytellers in Hollywood, Belly Laughs is a natural extension of its mission over the last 35 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2025

It is a supercharged version of a one-on-one tackle game which originated in the backyards and school playgrounds of Australia and New Zealand - namely in Pacific Islander communities.

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