Spanish-American

[span-ish-uh-mer-i-kuh n]

adjective

noting or pertaining to the parts of America where Spanish is the prevailing language.
pertaining to Spain and America, sometimes to Spain and the United States: an example of Spanish-American cooperation.
of or relating to the natives or inhabitants of Spanish America, especially those of Spanish descent.

of or relating to persons of Latin-American descent living in the U.S.
of or relating to persons of Spanish descent living in the U.S.

Origin of Spanish-American

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Spanish American

noun

a person of Latin-American descent living in the U.S.
a person of Spanish descent living in the U.S.
a native or inhabitant of a Spanish-American country.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spanish-american

Contemporary Examples of spanish-american

When he left to join the Spanish-American War, Katie kept a picture of him on a locket around her neck.
Those Kansas City Blues: A Family History
Katie Baker
October 24, 2014
He began A Moment in the Sun in 1996 as a screenplay about an African-American soldier in the Spanish-American War.
John Sayles Declares His Independence
Ben Crair
May 9, 2011
Rival newspaper barons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer were even blamed for starting the Spanish-American War.
It's Not too Late to End the Hate
Joanne Lipman
January 11, 2011
One sculpture honors those who died in the Spanish-American War.
Obama's Confederate Compromise
Judy Pasternak
May 21, 2009

Historical Examples of spanish-american

He had served through the Boer and the Spanish-American wars with distinction.
The Pirate of Panama
William MacLeod Raine
This type of structure is prevalent in almost all the older Spanish-American cities.
Mexico
Charles Reginald Enock
But the Church and her religion is the Spanish-American woman's special kingdom.
Mexico
Charles Reginald Enock
It fell to my lot in one Spanish-American country to receive a challenge.
Mexico
Charles Reginald Enock
He was one of the small Spanish-American breed, almost as sure-footed as a chamois.
The Forest Exiles
Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for spanish-american

Spanish-American

adjective

of or relating to any of the Spanish-speaking countries or peoples of the Americas

noun

a native or inhabitant of Spanish America
a Spanish-speaking person in the US

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012