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Tsimshian

American  
[tsim-shee-uhn] / ˈtsɪm ʃi ən /

noun

Tsimshians, plural Tsimshian plural
  1. a member of a group of Indigenous peoples of the coastal region of British Columbia and Annette Island, Alaska.

  2. the languages of the Tsimshian, sometimes considered part of the Penutian family.


adjective

  1. of or relating to the Tsimshian or their languages.

Tsimshian British  
/ ˈtʃɪmʃɪən /

noun

  1. a member of a Native Canadian people of northern British Columbia

  2. the Penutian language of this people

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of Tsimshian

First recorded in 1830–40; from Tsimshian; literally, “inside the Skeena River”; see Skeena ( def. )

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.

See Examples For:

The bakery is owned and operated by the Gitxaała Nation, one of the Indigenous Tsimshian communities whose ancestral lands stretch across this coastal region.

From Salon Jul. 20, 2025

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian master carvers will carve their poles in communities around the Southeast, teaching apprentices the art.

From Seattle Times Dec. 28, 2021

He was greeted warmly, too, in Metlakatla, where he received a welcome in the Tsimshian language.

From Washington Times Apr. 29, 2021

So far, most of his roles have been tied to his heritage which is predominately Navajo plus Hidatsa, Mandan and Tsimshian.

From The Guardian Aug. 23, 2018

The meanings assigned to the Tsimshian 8 and to Bilqula 6 to 8 are conjectural. 307Hale, Ethnography and Philology, p.

From The Number Concept Its Origin and Development by Conant, Levi Leonard

Among the Sioux this character is known as Unktomee, the Spider; the Tsimshians call him the Raven; the Cherokees the Rabbit.

From Indian Legends Retold by Eastman, Elaine Goodale

The Tsimshians are Indians of the North Pacific coast and in the old days lived mainly by fishing.

From Indian Legends Retold by Eastman, Elaine Goodale

All are brachycephalic, but while the Tsimshians are of medium height 1.675 m.

From Man, Past and Present by Haddon, Alfred Court

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