: 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
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Soon, Pan-Asian restaurant All In One Eatery will open its second area restaurant in another former Johnson County Applebee’s, 11000 Metcalf Ave.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
At European soccer governing body UEFA’s Congress in Stockholm in April 2002, Kazakhstan was admitted as the confederation’s 52nd member after leaving the Asian Football Confederation the previous year.
—Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
As the first Black and Asian woman to serve as an NFL team president, Morgan is excited to continue the Raiders’ history of breaking the mold and setting new precedents.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Soon, Pan-Asian restaurant All In One Eatery will open its second area restaurant in another former Johnson County Applebee’s, 11000 Metcalf Ave.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
Argosy’s other dining options listed on its website include Hops House, Red Lotus Asian Kitchen, Parisi Cafe and Slice Pizzeria.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
At European soccer governing body UEFA’s Congress in Stockholm in April 2002, Kazakhstan was admitted as the confederation’s 52nd member after leaving the Asian Football Confederation the previous year.
—Nina Subkhanberdina, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 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 1 Oct. 2025.
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