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Palestinian

American  
[pal-uh-stin-ee-uhn] / ˌpæl əˈstɪn i ən /

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of Palestine.

  2. Also called Palestinian Arab.  an Arab formerly living in Palestine who advocates the establishment of an Arab homeland there.


adjective

  1. of or relating to Palestine or Palestinians.

  2. of or relating to Palestinian Arabs.

    Palestinian guerrillas.

Palestinian British  
/ ˌpælɪˈstɪnɪən /

adjective

  1. of or relating to Palestine

"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

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of the former British mandate, or their descendants, esp such Arabs now living in the Palestinian Administered Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, or Israel, or as refugees from Israeli-occupied territory

"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

Etymology

Origin of Palestinian

Palestin(e) + -ian

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.

He noted that Mladenov believed Israel was unlikely to accept the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

The BBC spoke to a member of a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance crew which was dispatched to Tayasir on Wednesday night.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Hamza al-Afghani, a young Palestinian, spoke of an "indescribable joy".

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Like so much here, the space had a vintage feel, with old tile floors and walls hung with faded photographs of a visit to Cuba by Yasser Arafat, the long-deceased Palestinian leader.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Quickly, I realize that some fight between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers must have taken place.

From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat