: 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
Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
All of them, even those written with white casts in mind, now star Black, Asian, Latino or multiracial performers.
—Scott Heller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Lawrence Yee, People.com, 2 May 2025
This two-day event spotlights artists, creatives and small business owners from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for Asian
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Adjective
Tens of thousands of people gathered on Istanbul’s Asian shore in Kadikoy for a rally, many railing against the jailing of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu.
—Thomas Adamson, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025
All of them, even those written with white casts in mind, now star Black, Asian, Latino or multiracial performers.
—Scott Heller, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Noun
Gold House's mission is to foster a cultural ecosystem that unites, invests in, and champions Asian Pacific leaders to power tomorrow for all.
—Lawrence Yee, People.com, 2 May 2025
This two-day event spotlights artists, creatives and small business owners from the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 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 11 May. 2025.
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