American Indian

noun

plural American Indians

: a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere except often certain peoples (such as the Yupik and Inuit) who live in arctic regions

especially : an American Indian of North America and especially the U.S. compare native american

American Indian adjective

Examples of American Indian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What do museumgoers have to say about the National Museum of the American Indian? —Chris Quintana, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025

Members of the American Indian Movement also participated. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025

The American Indian Movement and its famous occupation of Alcatraz from 1969 through 1971. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

County prevention efforts are supported by community partners American Indian Family Center, Neighborhood House, Solid Ground, Catholic Charities and the ‘HouseCalls’ project, a Minnesota Community Care collaboration with Ramsey County Public Health. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for American Indian

• amerindian

Kids Definition

American Indian

noun

: a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere except often certain peoples (as the Yupik and Inuit) who live in arctic regions

especially : an American Indian of North America and especially the U.S.

American Indian adjective