Arikara

noun

Arik·​a·​ra ə-ˈri-kə-rə How to pronounce Arikara (audio)
1
plural Arikara : a member of an Indigenous people of the Missouri River valley in North Dakota

Note: The Arikara are federally recognized as part of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation in North Dakota.

2
: the language of the Arikara

Examples of Arikara in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s what makes the Stampede so special for 21-year-old Jessee Vigen, who is a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Kate Nelson, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2024 The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, home to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara peoples, was formally established in 1870 by executive order. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 12 July 2024 Created by Arikara artist Lauren Good Day in 2012, the dress honors her grandfather, Blue Bird, who fought in the Vietnam War. Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024 The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota, known as the MHA Nation, is wealthy from oil and gas revenue and has its own inpatient and sober living facilities. Ben Tanen, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024 For Alejandro González Iñárritu’s 2015 award-winning film The Revenant, the Mexican director also hired cultural consultants and teamed up with linguists to incorporate authentic Arikara and Pawnee language. Sandra Hale Schulman, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023 The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes, manage this population through their fish and wildlife division. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 8 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

probably from a Pawnee name for an Arikara band

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Arikara was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near Arikara

Cite this Entry

“Arikara.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Arikara. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on Arikara

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!