Native American

¹

[ ney-tiv uh-mer-i-kuhn ]

noun

1. Indian ( def 1 ).
2. a member of any of the aboriginal peoples of the Americas, including Indians and non-Indians.

native American

²

noun

1. a person born in the United States.

Native American

noun

1. A member of the indigenous peoples of North America

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Native Americans or any of their languages

Sensitive Note

See Indian, Eskimo.

Other Words From

• native-A·meri·can adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Native American¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

He’s hopeful that a proclamation will arrive in November, which is Native American Heritage Month.

From Los Angeles Times

President Biden formally apologized to Native Americans for a government school system that for decades forcibly separated children from parents.

From Los Angeles Times

He offered an official apology to Native Americans for the US government’s long history of removing Native American children from their families and forcing them into boarding schools.

From NewsForKids.net

He offered an official apology to Native Americans for the US government’s long history of removing Native American children from their families and forcing them into boarding schools.

From NewsForKids.net

He offered an official apology to Native Americans for the US government’s long history of removing Native American children from their families and forcing them into boarding schools.

From NewsForKids.net