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

Most are in Washington, DC, but two — design museum Cooper Hewitt and National Museum of the American Indian — are in New York City. —Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

In 1973, the American Indian Movement held a 71-day standoff with federal agents at the site of the massacre. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025

The employees' roles focused on supporting African American, American Indian, Hispanic and Asian American students. —Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Eligible teachers include those who identify as Black, Hispanic, Asian and American Indian, according to the DOJ complaint. —Annie Nova, CNBC, 17 Sep. 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