Inuit

noun

In·​u·​it ˈi-n(y)ü-wət How to pronounce Inuit (audio)
variants or less commonly Innuit
1
plural Inuit or Inuits also Innuit or Innuits
a
: a group of Indigenous peoples of northern Alaska, arctic Canada, and Greenland
used especially for those of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland

Note: In Canada, the name Inuit refers to one of three major, legally recognized groups of aboriginal peoples, the other two being the First Nations and the Métis.

see also inuk
b
: a member of such people
2
: any of the languages of the Inuit
Usage of Eskimo and Inuit

Eskimo is a word that presents challenges for anyone who is concerned about avoiding the use of offensive language. Its offensiveness stems partly from a now-discredited belief that it was originally a pejorative term meaning "eater of raw flesh," but perhaps more significantly from its being a word imposed on aboriginal peoples by outsiders. It has long been considered a word to be avoided in Canada, where native people refer to themselves as Inuit, a word that means "people" in their language. But not all the native people who are referred to as Eskimos are Inuit. Eskimo has no exact synonym; it has a general meaning that encompasses a number of indigenous peoples, and it continues for now in widespread use in many parts of the English-speaking world.

Examples of Inuit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Inuit describe the aurora as a pathway to the heavens. Sophy Roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024 This decision shows how Inuit can use the technology in combination with traditional wildlife management, says Arragutainaq. Hannah Hoag, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 The 24-city trek will kick off on Aug. 20 in Washington D.C, and will make stops in Brooklyn, Miami and Atlanta, as well as an inaugural performance at Los Angeles’ Inuit Dome. Anna Tingley, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 Research has also shown that Inuit living in Greenland have genes that modify fat type and distribution to better insulate their core, while people living in Indonesia are able to increase blood flow to their skin to facilitate cooling. Amanda Heidt, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024 There was no room for First Nations, Métis, or Inuit heritage. Hazlitt, 17 Jan. 2024 Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules also held up when comparing old data on body sizes in warm climates to those of Sámi, Inuit, and Yuit populations. Max G. Levy, WIRED, 6 Jan. 2024 Their hardiness and vitality have earned them much reverence among the Inuit of Alaska and Canada, who believe the birds have spiritual significance and bring good fortune to those who build nest boxes for them, according to the Alaska Native Knowledge Network. Richard B. Karel, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2024 The third trip was to a remote part of North America – an Inuit village on the northern edge of mainland Canada. Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Inuit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Inuit inuit, plural of inuk person

First Known Use

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of Inuit was in 1745

Dictionary Entries Near Inuit

Cite this Entry

“Inuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Inuit. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Inuit

noun
In·​u·​it ˈi-n(y)ü-wət How to pronounce Inuit (audio)
variants also Innuit
1
pl Inuit or Inuits also Innuit or Innuits
a
: any of a number of groups of indigenous peoples of northern Alaska, arctic Canada, and Greenland
used especially of those of the Canadian Arctic and Greenland
b
: a member of such people
2
: any of the languages of the Inuit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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