African American

noun

variants or less commonly African-American

ˌa-fri-kə-nə-ˈmer-ə-kən 

-ˈme-rə-,

 also  ˌä-

plural African Americans also African-Americans

: an American of African and especially of Black African descent

African American adjective

or less commonly African-American

Word History

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

African-American

noun

: an American having African and especially black African ancestors

African-American adjective