Nootka

noun

Noot·​ka ˈnu̇t-kə 

1

plural Nootka or Nootkas : a member of a First Nations people inhabiting the west coast of Vancouver Island : nuu-chah-nulth sense 1

Note: While the name Nootka (which was imposed by outsiders) is used by some members, others prefer Nuu-chah-nulth.

2

: the Wakashan language of the Nootka people : nuu-chah-nulth sense 2

Examples of Nootka in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For kayaks and stand-up paddle boarding, visit Nootka Kayak on Playa de las Anquines, an artificial beach that offers great conditions for both. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

While many manufacturers offer saunas with glass panels, Nootka’s Cube Sauna stands apart with its expansive five-foot horizontal window that runs almost the entire width of the structure. — Dean Stattmann, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025

Giles tells the story of Luna, a young Southern Resident killer whale who was separated from his pod and trapped in the Nootka Sound off the west coast of Vancouver Island. — Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island

First Known Use

circa 1789, in the meaning defined at sense 2