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

For Native Americans, or American Indian and Alaska Natives as they are labeled by the Census Bureau, Mecklenburg County saw the highest growth in the region for that population. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025

In 1972, Peltier joined the American Indian Movement, among the more confrontational Red Power groups, which had been founded, a few years before, by Dennis Banks, Clyde Bellecourt, and others. —Nick Estes, New Yorker, 26 June 2025

The San Diego American Indian Health Center will host a hands-on Healing Garden Workshop, about the healing power of gardening, from 10 a.m. to p.m. June 28 at the health center in Bankers Hill, 2630 First Ave. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025

Washington is also known for its art galleries and museums, including the Institute for American Indian Studies, which focuses on the preservation and resurgence of Indigenous lifeways. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 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