Indian agent

noun

plural Indian agents

: an official formerly assigned as a representative of the U.S. or Canadian government to Indigenous tribes especially on reservations

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Indian agent was in 1766

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Indian agent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Indian%20agent. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 4 Nov 2025 - Definition revised

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