Cherokee

noun

Cher·​o·​kee ˈcher-ə-(ˌ)kē How to pronounce Cherokee (audio)
ˈche-rə-
1
plural Cherokee or Cherokees : a member of a nation of once-nomadic Indigenous peoples located originally in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina
2
: the Iroquoian language of the Cherokee people

Examples of Cherokee 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.
Officers with the Independence Police Department began pursuing a blue Jeep Cherokee just after 1 p.m. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025 Limestone University is estimated to have a $150 million annual economic impact on Cherokee County where it is located. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 The vehicles were found to include a 2013 Dodge Dart, a 2018 Ford EcoSport and a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025 The Tlingit described it as the budding moon of plants and shrubs, the Cherokee called it the flower moon, and the Apache referred to it as the moon of the big leaves, according to Western Washington University’s site. Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Cherokee

Word History

Etymology

probably ultimately from Creek calá·kki

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cherokee was in 1721

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Cite this Entry

“Cherokee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cherokee. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

Cherokee

noun
Cher·​o·​kee ˈcher-ə-ˌkē How to pronounce Cherokee (audio)
: a member of an Indigenous people originally from Tennessee and North Carolina
also : their language

More from Merriam-Webster on Cherokee

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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