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

From Mayan pyramids in the Yucatan to the Inca highlands of Peru and the longest wall ever built, the Americas and Asia hold some of the most awe-inspiring ancient ruins anywhere. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026

Maldonado and his wife, Rocio Navarrete, opened El Gaucho Inca in 2011, which fused Peruvian, Argentinian and Italian cuisines. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026

Paton, 52, was in Peru with his wife to hike the Inca Trail, a popular route that ends at Machu Picchu, a citadel built by the Incas in the 15th century. — Sam Peters, CNN Money, 22 May 2026

Try the Salkantay Trek in Peru’s Machu Picchu To get away from the crowds, hike an alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — the Salkantay, a relatively quiet 7 day lodge to lodge trek. — Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026

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