Inca

noun

In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə 

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

in-ˈkā-ik 

adjective

Incan

ˈiŋ-kən 

adjective

Examples of Inca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Long before the rise of the Inca empire, a group called the Chavín people thrived in ancient Peru. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025

The top holders of the $TRUMP meme coin spent anywhere from as little as $53,500 to as much as $16.4 million to grab one of the dinner invites with Mr. Trump, Inca Digital's analysis found. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 13 May 2025

In fact, just as Americans raised flags and President Donald Trump and Chicago’s mayor issued congratulations, Peruvians shared memes of the new pope enjoying a fresh ceviche alongside an iconic Inca Kola soft drink. —Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025

Wash it down with Inca Kola, a sweet, neon-yellow soda that’s popular in Peru. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua inka ruler of the Inca empire

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for Inca

• dinka
• vinca

Kids Definition

Inca

noun

In·​ca ˈiŋ-kə 

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

-kən 

adjective