Inca

noun

In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə How to pronounce Inca (audio)
1
a
: a member of the Quechuan peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest
b
: a king or noble of the Inca empire
2
: a member of any people under Inca influence
Incaic adjective
Incan adjective

Examples of Inca 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.
Also, a recent Fortune article reported that analysts from blockchain firms Chaos Labs and Inca Digital found signs of wash trading on Polymarket. Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Machu Picchu — Peru The Inca were famous for building an epic series of roads that cross the mountains, deserts and coastlines of South America. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024 Denver police reported the crash near South Platte River Drive and South Inca Street at 6:51 p.m., according to a post on X. South Platte River Drive is closed for the crash investigation. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024 From creating personal mosaics in Italy to exploring Inca ruins in Cusco on horseback, these are the best Airbnb experiences to book for your next vacation. Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Inca 

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua inka ruler of the Inca empire

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Inca was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near Inca

Cite this Entry

“Inca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Inca. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Inca

noun
In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə How to pronounce Inca (audio)
1
: a noble or a member of the Indigenous peoples of Peru maintaining an empire until the Spanish conquest
2
: a member of any people under Inca influence
Incan adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on Inca

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!