Pacific Islander

noun

plural Pacific Islanders

: a native or a descendant of a native of one of the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean

Examples of Pacific Islander in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearly 28% also speak Spanish, while about 10% speak Asian or Pacific Islander languages. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026

Students with disabilities improved more Students with disabilities were one of only two groups — the other being Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander — to improve both their average math and reading scores by more than 1%. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

A couple years before that, the state began disaggregating data on Asian and Pacific Islanders, by separating Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander groups. — Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Through the scholarship, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists working in film and television will receive resources to further their professional development, such as access to a network of peers and mentors. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Pacific Islander

noun

: a native or a descendant of a native of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean