East Asian

noun

plural East Asians
1
: a native or inhabitant of a region of indefinite boundaries usually considered to include China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, North Korea, and Mongolia
2
: a person of East Asian descent
East Asian adjective

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of East Asian was in 1908

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Cite this Entry

“East Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/East%20Asian. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
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