American Indian

noun

1. Indian ( def 1 ).
2. Amerind ( def 2 ). : AmerInd

American Indian

noun

1. Also calledNative American a member of any of the indigenous peoples of North, Central, or South America, esp those of North America

adjective

1. AlsoAmerindian of or relating to any of these peoples, their languages, or their cultures

Usage

This term is still acceptable and is widely used by American Indians themselves. The most accepted phrase in general use nowadays is Native American

Sensitive Note

See Indian.

Word History and Origins

Origin of American Indian¹

First recorded in 1725–35

Example Sentences

James Earl Jones was born on 17 January 1931 in Mississippi, of African-American, American Indian and Irish ancestry.

From BBC

Nearly 400,000 people in Los Angeles County identify as partly American Indian or Alaskan Native, according to the 2020 census.

From Los Angeles Times

Hogan asked the crowd, before using an outdated and stereotypical greeting associated with Native American Indians.

From BBC

In just two days, the National Museum of the American Indian would unveil, for the first time, one of the treaties the California Indian Nations had negotiated with the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

United American Indian Involvement’s behavioral health program provides outpatient substance use disorder treatment and mental health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives living throughout Los Angeles County.

From Los Angeles Times