Punjabi
Americannoun
plural
Punjabis-
a native or inhabitant of the Punjab.
-
an Indic language of the Punjab.
adjective
noun
-
a member of the chief people of the Punjab
-
the state language of the Punjab, belonging to the Indic branch of the Indo-European family
adjective
Usage
What does Punjabi mean? A Punjabi is a person who is from or lives in Punjab, a former UK province. Punjabi is also the language spoken by the people of Punjab. Punjab was a province of British India until 1947. In that year, the province was split between the Asian countries of India and Pakistan. The majority of the former Punjab is now located in Pakistan, as the eastern province of Punjab. The rest of the land makes up the northwestern Indian state of Punjab. According to the 2011 Indian Census, just over 33 million speakers of Punjabi lived in India. It was the 11th most popular language in the country at that time, with 2. 7 percent of the country speaking it. According to the CIA Factbook, Punjabis are the largest ethnic group in Pakistan, making up 44. 7 percent of the population, and the Punjabi language is spoken by 48 percent of the country.
Etymology
Origin of Punjabi
First recorded in 1780–90; Punjab + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin
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.
The Koh-i-Noor, meaning "Mountain of Light" in Persian, has been the subject of conquest and intrigue for centuries, passing through the hands of Mughal princes, Iranian warriors, Afghan rulers and Punjabi Maharajas.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
Singh sees a direct line between the visibility of Punjabi artists and the awareness of their culture among young people in the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
Buttar credited a generation shift in Punjabi music itself for making that reconnection easier.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
“I like to show my friends because Punjabi music is so versatile.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
Nico writes the words down after the Punjabi with a pencil.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
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.
