Central American
adjective
: of or relating to Central America (the narrow southern portion of North America connecting with South America) or its people
Central American
noun
plural Central Americans
Examples of Central American in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Detention long used as deterrent against migration The 2,400-bed family detention center in Dilley was the Obama administration’s response to a wave of Central American families arriving at the Southwest border in 2014.
—
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
But criminologists who study gangs say tattoos are not a reliable way to identify Venezuelan gang members because, unlike some Central American gangs, such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua does not use tattoos to signal membership.
—Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Later, its border and immigration-enforcement agencies received more and more resources and attention, especially after 2014, when Central American children and families began streaming across the Rio Grande.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
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Rick Jervis, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
But criminologists who study gangs say tattoos are not a reliable way to identify Venezuelan gang members because, unlike some Central American gangs, such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua does not use tattoos to signal membership.
—Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026
Later, its border and immigration-enforcement agencies received more and more resources and attention, especially after 2014, when Central American children and families began streaming across the Rio Grande.
—Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Central American.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Central%20American. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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