Native American


noun

usage note for Native American

See Indian, Eskimo.

Definition for native americans (2 of 2)

native American

noun

a person born in the United States.

Origin of native American

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

OTHER WORDS FROM native American

na·tive-A·mer·i·can, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for native americans

Native American

noun

A member of the indigenous peoples of North America

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of Native Americans or any of their languages

Cultural definitions for native americans

Native Americans

The descendants of the original inhabitants of North America and South America before the arrival of white settlers from Europe, also called Indians or American Indians. The term Native American is sometimes preferred over Indian because the latter is a misnomer that originated with Columbus, who mistook the inhabitants of America for the people of India. Both terms, however, are accepted.

notes for Native Americans

In recent years, Native American activism has taken the form of calls for the protection of their tribal or ancestral shrines and artifacts.