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 report also noted that the maternal death rate nearly doubled between 2018 and 2022, with rates for Black and American Indian and Alaska Native women increasing the most. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 18 July 2024

Gatherings Cafe inside the Minneapolis American Indian Center reopened late last month after a two-year break while the center underwent renovations. —Audrey Kennedy, Axios, 9 July 2024

According to the recent survey, American Indian and Alaska Native students were most likely to attempt suicide (12.1%), compared to their classmates of other races. —Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024

As a leader of the American Indian Movement in the 70s, Peltier’s conviction has long been polarizing. —Dianne Gallagher, CNN, 2 July 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