Pashtun

American  

[pash-toon, pahsh-, puhsh-] / ˌpæʃˈtun, ˌpɑʃ-, ˌpʌʃ- /

Sometimes Pukhtun also Pushtun

noun

1. a people of eastern and southern Afghanistan and neighboring regions of northwest Pakistan; the dominant ethnic group in Afghanistan.

2. Also called Pathan.  a member of the Pashtun people.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the Pashtun people.

Etymology

Origin of Pashtun

First recorded in 1810–20; from Pashto Pəx̌tānə, Pax̌tūn, Pəshtūn

Example Sentences

It also divides Pashtun communities who live on either side -- the ethnic group from which the Taliban, which returned to power in Kabul in 2021, draws much of its support.

From Barron's

"It is absolutely an accusation on Afghans and Pashtuns that they don't want daughter's education, but the issue is vice-versa," he said.

From BBC

Afghanistan has never recognized the porous border that runs through the Pashtun heartland and dilutes the power of the country’s largest ethnic group on both sides.

From Seattle Times

Born in 1952 the son of a civil engineer, Khan grew up with four sisters in an affluent urban Pashtun family in Lahore, Pakistan's second-biggest city.

From Reuters

Born in 1952, the son of a civil engineer, Khan grew up with four sisters in an affluent urban Pashtun family in Lahore, Pakistan's second-biggest city.

From Reuters