Pacific Islander

noun

plural Pacific Islanders
: a native or a descendant of a native of one of the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean

Examples of Pacific Islander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
English learners, Latino and Pacific Islander students and students experiencing homelessness saw the highest increases. Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024 The disease is not prioritized here as a grave public-health concern in large part because most chronic hepatitis-B cases affect people of Asian, Pacific Islander, or African descent. Ingfei Chen, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2024 Another victory is continuing to use her platform to amplify Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices: More than 40 have appeared on her show since last year. Judy Kurtz, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024 Since 2000, breast cancer rates among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women under 50 years old has increased by 50%, and since 2012, that rate has increased every year by 2%, according to a recent report from the American Cancer Society. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Pacific Islander 

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pacific Islander was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near Pacific Islander

Cite this Entry

“Pacific Islander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pacific%20Islander. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

Pacific Islander

noun
: a native or a descendant of a native of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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