: of, relating to, or characteristic of the continent of Asia or its people
Asian vs. Asiatic: Usage Guide
Asian is now solidly preferred to Asiatic; the latter persists mainly in the names of some kinds of flora and fauna.
an Asiatic lily
the Asiatic elephant
Asiatic still has some use as a geographical designator
the Asiatic side of the Bosporus
but has increasingly been considered offensive, especially as associated with the policies of colonialism.
1
: a native or inhabitant of Asia
2
: a person of Asian descent
Examples of Asian in a Sentence
Noun
There are many Asians living in South America.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Alongside his acquisitions responsibilities, Beta said Hemminger will oversee sales across Spain, Australia, and all Asian markets.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Seven years ago, Alaa al-Dali was an able-bodied cyclist, living in Gaza and training for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
—Devin Kelly, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
Those include a stainless-steel dragon sculpture suspended over the ship’s World Promenade and a Pan-Asian Street Food venue serving Southeast Asian cuisine.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025
Alongside his acquisitions responsibilities, Beta said Hemminger will oversee sales across Spain, Australia, and all Asian markets.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2025
Noun
The third explores attempts by thinkers to use the concept of Asia to forge solidarities, which unraveled at the Asian Relations Conference in Delhi in 1947, when regional powers could not resolve their contradictions.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Seven years ago, Alaa al-Dali was an able-bodied cyclist, living in Gaza and training for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
—Devin Kelly, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
Cite this Entry
“Asian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Asian. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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