Pima

American  

[pee-muh] / ˈpi mə /

noun

Pimas, plural Pima plural

1. a member of an Indigenous people of southern Arizona and northern Mexico.

2. the Uto-Aztecan language of the Pima, closely related to Tohono O'odham.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Pima or their language.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Pima
  plural
• Pimas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Pima

First recorded in 1810–15; from Spanish (Mexico, southwestern United States), earlier Pimahitos, from 16th-century Pima (Spanish spelling) pimahaitu “nothing”

Compare meaning

How does pima compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Pima vs. Egyptian cotton

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Pima Pimas

The case has also put pressure on Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who critics have accused of making missteps in the search for Guthrie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has been leading the investigation with the help of the FBI, has said the authorities believe the 84-year-old was specifically targeted, but they are "not 100% sure of that".

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2026

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told NBC News that "we believe we know why he did this".

From BBC ● Mar. 13, 2026

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department launched its investigation into the elder Guthrie’s disappearance last month and insisted Thursday that the investigation is still in full force and has some solid clues.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026

Pima was the oldest of them, and it made her bossy.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

Says Barbara Howard, a researcher for the National Institutes of Health: "The Pimas may have more LDL receptors or else more efficient ones than most people."

From Time Magazine Archive

They made Citizen Coolidge "Chief White Father"; the Pimas bestowed upon him the title of "The Bringer of Waters."

From Time Magazine Archive

Scientists believe that what makes the Pimas different from the more vulnerable masses is not that their bodies produce less cholesterol, but rather that they are more efficient at removing it from the bloodstream.

From Time Magazine Archive

For the 98% of Americans who are neither Winston Churchills nor Pimas, playing by the rules is important.

From Time Magazine Archive

They were adopted by the Pimas and protected by them, and have ever since lived with them as one people, having however a different language, identical with that of the Yumas.

From Aw-Aw-Tam Indian Nights Being the myths and legends of the Pimas of Arizona by Lloyd, J. William