variants or Ilokano
plural Ilocano or Ilocanos or Ilokano or Ilokanos
1
: a member of a major people of northern Luzon in the Philippines
2
: the Austronesian language of the Ilocano people

Examples of Ilocano in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ferdinand Marcos came from a town not far from Tuguegarao and spoke Yolanda’s native Ilocano language. Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 My parents spoke Ilocano and Spanish at home, but also spoke English. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ilocano was in 1898

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Cite this Entry

“Ilocano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ilocano. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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