Maasai

noun

Maa·​sai mä-ˈsī How to pronounce Maasai (audio)
ˈmä-ˌsī
variants or Masai
plural Maasai or Maasais or Masai or Masais
1
: a member of a pastoral and hunting people of Kenya and Tanzania
2
: the Nilotic language of the Maasai people

Examples of Maasai in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The elusive species was once believed to be locally extinct in the Mara Triangle region of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, according to a June 16 post from the Mara Triangle Facebook account. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 16 June 2025 The Maasai in Kenya have been grazing their cattle alongside lions and elephants for centuries. Mary Holland, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Dec. 2024 Among the prizes for the winners are a safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara with Alex Walker’s Serian, plus Nikon camera bags and camera kits. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 Semi-nomadic Maasai continue to use the land for cattle grazing. Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for Maasai

Word History

Etymology

Maasai il-máásáì, a self-designation

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Maasai was in 1857

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Cite this Entry

“Maasai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Maasai. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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