: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia or its people
Asian vs. Asiatic: Usage Guide
Asian is now solidly preferred to Asiatic; the latter persists mainly in the names of some kinds of flora and fauna.
an Asiatic lily
the Asiatic elephant
Asiatic still has some use as a geographical designator
the Asiatic side of the Bosporus
but has increasingly been considered offensive, especially as associated with the policies of colonialism.
1
: a native or inhabitant of Asia
2
: a person of Asian descent
Examples of Asian in a Sentence
Noun
There are many Asians living in South America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Asia – led by South Korea, which accounts for 46% of the region’s adaptation activity – drives overall volume and skews toward television, with TV making up 62% of Asian adaptations.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026
ABC News, 23 May 2026
Wednesday, May 20 Health inspectors gave a red placard to the Florin Asian restaurant after discovering vermin and animal contamination in the amount of approximately 66 rat droppings in the facility including on a container of syrup and in an unused walk-in cooler.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
may 22, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
For example, at the entrance of Miami International Airport, a digital billboard currently recognizes Haitian Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Asia – led by South Korea, which accounts for 46% of the region’s adaptation activity – drives overall volume and skews toward television, with TV making up 62% of Asian adaptations.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026
Noun
Verdy Beleza 1-0 to win soccer's Asian Women’s Champions League on Saturday in the South Korean city of Suwon.
—ABC News, 23 May 2026
Wednesday, May 20 Health inspectors gave a red placard to the Florin Asian restaurant after discovering vermin and animal contamination in the amount of approximately 66 rat droppings in the facility including on a container of syrup and in an unused walk-in cooler.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
may 22, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for Asian
Cite this Entry
“Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asian. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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