American Indian

noun

plural American Indians

: a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere except often certain peoples (such as the Yupik and Inuit) who live in arctic regions

especially : an American Indian of North America and especially the U.S. compare native american

American Indian adjective

Examples of American Indian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company also provides scholarship support to students annually through its partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 18 Sep. 2024

And each year since 1989, at least one American Indian has held a seat in the state House or Senate. —Christopher Lomahquahu and Eshaan Sarup, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024

In 2019, suicide was the second leading cause of death for American Indian/Alaska Natives between the ages of 10 and 34, according to the Office of Minority Health. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2024

But the American Indian Health Program — available only to American Indians and Alaska Natives — was different. —Hannah Bassett, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

American Indian

noun

: a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere except often certain peoples (as the Yupik and Inuit) who live in arctic regions

especially : an American Indian of North America and especially the U.S.

American Indian adjective