nomadic

adjective

no·​mad·​ic nō-ˈma-dik How to pronounce nomadic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of nomads
a nomadic tribe
nomadic herders
2
: roaming about from place to place aimlessly, frequently, or without a fixed pattern of movement
a nomadic hobo

Examples of nomadic in a Sentence

raised in a nomadic family, she attended half a dozen different high schools
Recent Examples on the Web Consistent evidence of cremation doesn’t occur until relatively late in human history — around the time that humans stopped being nomadic. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024 The older, more dominant male groundhogs tend to be territorial – aggressively lording over their dominions while the younger ones are left to be nomadic. USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2024 These nomadic experts can provide tips on destinations, airlines, hotels, deals—even street food. Passport By Forbeslife, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Toohey says that the people that did use it probably remained somewhat nomadic for another half millennium or so. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024 The tradition also finds its origins in various communal practices, including those of the Bedouin, the nomadic peoples of the Arabian deserts. Zahra Hankir, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 In some human populations today that explore for food in a nomadic lifestyle, genetic mutations tied to ADHD are present, the study authors write. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Feb. 2024 Eventually, Rybak figured the best way forward was to reconstruct Morrisseau’s nomadic life, like a biographer, interviewing anyone the painter had encountered. Jordan Michael Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 More than two dozens tombs made up the Nubian Pan-Grave cemetery, the researchers said, a type of cemetery common among the Medjay nomadic people that lived in the eastern deserts of Egypt more than 3,000 years ago, according to the University of Chicago. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nomadic.' 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

borrowed from Greek nomadikós "of a shepherd or herdsman, pastoral," from nomad-, nomás "wanderer, shepherd, nomad" + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1818, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nomadic was circa 1818

Dictionary Entries Near nomadic

Cite this Entry

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

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