Westerner

noun

West·​ern·​er ˈwe-stər-nər 

-stə-

1

: a native or inhabitant of the West

especially : a native or resident of the western part of the U.S.

2

: one advocating the adoption of western European culture especially in 19th century Russia

Examples of Westerner in a Sentence

Westerners tend to be unfamiliar with Asian customs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite peace efforts, including a 2014 agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, smaller groups such as the extremist militant group Abu Sayyaf continue sporadic criminal activities, including targeting Westerners, often for ransom. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

Russian forces in the country’s Kursk region have captured a British man who volunteered for the Ukrainian Army, Russia’s state news agencies reported, in what would likely be the first case of a Westerner detained on Russian soil while fighting for Ukraine. —Ivan Nechepurenko, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Soy milk is curdled in a salty solution but not squeezed or drained like the spongey bricks of tofu familiar to most Westerners. —Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Sep. 2024

Chawla told Newsweek that, while many Westerners make chai with syrups and blends, this was not correct. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

Westerner

noun

West·​ern·​er ˈwes-tə(r)-nər 

: a person born or living in the West (as of the U.S.)