plural Khmer or Khmers
1
: a member of an aboriginal people of Cambodia
2
: the Mon-Khmer language of the Khmer people that is the official language of Cambodia
Khmer adjective

Examples of Khmer 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.
Spanning two ever-changing decades, from post–Khmer Rouge Phnom Penh to early 2000s California, a Cambodian woman grapples with her deep personal desires, untimely love, and shifting family roles amid profound cultural and historical upheavals. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2025 Cambodian community hosts festivities The Cambodian community is celebrating Khmer New Year and the harvest season with festivities that reflect Buddhist customs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 26-27 at Colina del Sol Park, 5295 52nd Place. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025 In the Svay Leu district, the site of the deadly blast, there was previously heavy conflict between the Cambodian government and rebel guerrillas from the Khmer Rouge, according to the AP. Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025 Additionally, hundreds of Khmer Krom–ethnic Khmer originating from land now within Vietnamese borders–live in San Jose. Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Khmer

Word History

Etymology

northern or western dialect Khmer khmε:r, a self-designation (standard Khmer khmaε)

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Khmer was in 1881

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Khmer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Khmer. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Khmer

noun
: a member of an aboriginal people of Cambodia

More from Merriam-Webster on Khmer

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!