: 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
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025
Previous cases involved Asian American and Black American aspiring attorneys from the 19th and early 20th centuries who were also denied admission due to the color of their skin.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
The Elk Grove Police Department announced Thursday afternoon the death of the second of four victims in the shooting at the Z Town Asian Gastro Bar.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
Southeast Asian tech giant Grab followed suit, launching GrabPay in 2016.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2025
Previous cases involved Asian American and Black American aspiring attorneys from the 19th and early 20th centuries who were also denied admission due to the color of their skin.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025
Noun
Advertisement In April 2021, Min Aung Hlaing personally agreed at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting to the Five Point Consensus intended to end the bloodshed and open a path toward dialogue.
—Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
The Elk Grove Police Department announced Thursday afternoon the death of the second of four victims in the shooting at the Z Town Asian Gastro Bar.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
Cite this Entry
“Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asian. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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