Navajo

noun

Na·​va·​jo ˈna-və-ˌhō How to pronounce Navajo (audio) ˈnä- How to pronounce Navajo (audio)
variants or less commonly Navaho
1
plural Navajo or Navajos also Navaho or Navahos : a member of an Indigenous people of northern New Mexico and Arizona and southern Utah
2
: the language of the Navajo people

Examples of Navajo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web More about it:Here's how to figure out the time difference between Arizona and the Navajo Nation What time is PST right now? Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 Another standout was a dinner arranged in partnership with Navajo Nation that saw travelers break bread with the last living Navajo Code Talker from World War II. The Editors, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 The Navajo Nation which is the northeast corner of the state does continue to participate in daylight saving. Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press, 9 Mar. 2024 The Navajo Nation is the lone exception in Arizona. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024 Arizona has not observed daylight saving time since 1968, though the Navajo Nation, which has some land in Arizona, does recognize the time change. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024 All states but two — Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation) — observe daylight saving time. Diba Mohtasham, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024 Leticia Ashley, 38, a member of the Navajo Nation, is accused of drinking a half-pint of Fireball liquor in July 2022 before getting behind the wheel with her four children inside, according to a March 6 news release by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. Paloma Chavez, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 Recommendations Paresh recommends the food blog The Fancy Navajo. Michael Calore Lauren Goode, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Navajo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish (Apache de) Navajó, literally, Apache of Navajó, from Navajó, area occupied by Navajos, probably from Tewa (Pueblo Indian language of northern New Mexico) navahu·, literally, arroyo with planted fields

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Navajo was in 1808

Dictionary Entries Near Navajo

Cite this Entry

“Navajo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Navajo. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Navajo

noun
Na·​va·​jo
variants also Navaho
plural Navajo or Navajos also Navaho or Navahos
: a member of an American Indian people of northern New Mexico and Arizona

More from Merriam-Webster on Navajo

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!