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 As in 2021, the overdose death rate was highest among American Indian and Alaska Native people, jumping 15% in 2022, according to the latest CDC data. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Racially, the search yielded one Hispanic, one American Indian, five Asian, two Black and 25 white applicants of the 34 who participated in the survey. Kelly Meyerhofer, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Sacramento State currently has 201 students who identify as American Indian said Rena Horse, the Native Success Program coordinator for the Esak’timá Center, the university’s Native student center which opened Friday. Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Over the next three years, according to a federal affidavit in court, 1 Family Clinic submitted claims for reimbursement to AHCCCS totaling more than $12.5 million for bogus services to about 185 individuals, including 163 who were insured through the American Indian Health Program. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 Instead, the facilities hid a more sinister plan: to defraud hundreds of millions of dollars from the state by charging the American Indian Health Program, a Medicaid health plan that allows providers to bill directly for reimbursement of services rendered to Native Americans and Alaska Natives. The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 The rugged island is known for its natural beauty and has a strong American Indian, fishing, mining, maritime and logging history. Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 29 Feb. 2024 The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) also provides important resources and history behind TCUs. Brennan Barnard, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native and Asian people are known to have a higher risk. Feb. 27, 2024 Data suggests that insulin resistance also increases with age, as pancreatic function declines. Knvul Sheikh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of American Indian was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near American Indian

Cite this Entry

“American Indian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/American%20Indian. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

American Indian

noun
: a member of any of the native peoples of the western hemisphere except often those distinguished as Eskimos or Inuits
especially : an American Indian of North America and especially the U.S.
American Indian adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on American Indian

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