Native American

noun

plural Native Americans

: a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere

especially : a Native American of North America and especially the U.S.

Native American adjective

Examples of Native American in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Two new lawsuits by the state and a Kumeyaay tribe accuse Poway of violating environmental law in letting construction proceed on a housing development where Native American remains and artifacts have been found. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026

The Dallas Mavericks recently hosted a Native American Night. —Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026

Madden’s interest in Native American gaming started with Maya ballgames and then expanded to include Native American dice and games of chance. —ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2026

On March 22 Samoset returned again, this time with Squanto, the only other Native American on the Eastern seaboard who spoke English. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1628, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Native American

noun

: a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the western hemisphere

especially : a Native American of North America and especially the U.S. compare american indian

Native American adjective