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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
Each year the fanfare for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month seems to grow more elaborate.
—Frank Shyong, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2024
This year, Palu and her family started an annual scholarship for Pacific Islander students.
—Sabrina Bodon, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024
In April, celebrated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the toy brand honored U.S. figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
—Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 22 May 2024
The neglect is disappointing, Le said, particularly since nearly 34,000 Coloradans identify as Vietnamese — the fifth-largest Asian-American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander population statewide, according to the Colorado Lotus Project.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 21 May 2024
Written by May 17, 2024 Share this story Each May marks Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which celebrates the accomplishments and impact members of this vast and vibrant community have had on the U.S. and history.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 17 May 2024
On Saturday, May 11, Chu and Michelle Yeoh — who portrays Madame Morrible in the film — attended the 2024 Gold Gala at the Music Center in Los Angeles to celebrate Asian/Pacific Islander excellence.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 14 May 2024
The anonymous program, funded by the state legislature’s Asian American and Pacific Islander equity agenda and the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act grant is also a partnership with California Black Media.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 21 May 2024
Average age of parents varies by race Asian women and Pacific Islander women have the highest average age of first-time mothers, compared to all other races, according to CDC data.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Pacific Islander.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined above
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 7 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
Pacific Islander
noun
: a native or a descendant of a native of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
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