Gurkha

noun

Gur·​kha ˈgu̇r-kə  ˈgər- 

: a soldier from Nepal in the British or Indian army

Examples of Gurkha in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key pieces include Gurkha shorts based on ‘40s British military attire; vests that take their cues from fighter pilots’ rescue vests; pleated camouflage trousers in shades of gray, and bomber jackets inspired by ‘50s U.S. MA1 flight jacket. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 2 Sep. 2024

Former Gurkha Hari Budha Magar, who lost both his legs in combat in Afghanistan in 2010, sued, and Nepal’s Supreme Court overturned the ban in 2018. —Alan Arnette, Outside Online, 18 Apr. 2023

Head Chef Joe Allen, whose wife is Nepalese and father-in-law who’s a Gurkha, travelled extensively across Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara immersing himself in the culture and sampling delicacies. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023

Thirteen years ago, Hari Budha Magar lost both his legs while serving in the Gurkha regiment of the British Army, but that didn’t prevent him from standing on top of the world. —USA TODAY, 15 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Ghurka, member of a Rajput clan who dominated Nepal in the 18th century

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above