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

At one Inca cemetery in Peru, archaeologists unearthed the remains of a woman buried with her khipu. —ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025

The Inca Empire in South America, one of the most powerful pre-Columbian societies, was known for many innovations — such as the architecture of Machu Picchu, an extensive road network, and a system of terraces for agriculture. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025

The Inca Empire spanned from roughly 1400 to 1533 A.D., with Spanish colonization beginning soon after. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Because the hue, which is inspired by the C1’s Inca Silver color option, is the first matte production paint to feature on a Corvette since the 1960s. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 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