Melanesian

[ mel-uh-nee-zhuhn, -shuhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Melanesia, its inhabitants, or their languages.

noun

1. a member of any of the Indigenous peoples inhabiting Melanesia.
2. the Austronesian languages of Melanesia, taken collectively.

Melanesian

/ ˌmɛləˈniːzɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Melanesia, its people, or their languages

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Melanesia: generally Negroid with frizzy hair and small stature
2. a group or branch of languages spoken in Melanesia, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family
3. See also Neo-Melanesian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Melanesian¹

First recorded in 1840–50; Melanesi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

The Melanesian Spearhead Group was formed four decades ago to push for independence for indigenous Melanesian groups, and its new headquarters in Vanuatu was funded by China.

From Reuters

Diplomatic relations have been complicated by the separatist ambitions of Melanesian groups on the Indonesian side of Papua, which was absorbed by Indonesia after a 1969 vote.

From Reuters

The indigenous Papuans, who are Melanesian, are now thought to be outnumbered by settlers from other parts of the archipelago.

From BBC

The islands, inhabited by its Indigenous Melanesian people since the sixth century B.C., were jointly ruled by Britain and France for nearly 100 years.

From New York Times

Vanuatu has long supported the independence movement in the Indonesian province of West Papua, where much of the population is Melanesian.

From BBC