European

1 of 2

adjective

Eu·​ro·​pe·​an ˌyu̇r-ə-ˈpē-ən How to pronounce European (audio)
-ˈpēn
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Europe or its people
Europeanness noun

European

2 of 2

noun

1
: a native or inhabitant of Europe
2
: a person of European descent

Examples of European 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.
Adjective
What this means for travelers is that now is the time for a European vacation, especially when many summer destinations are far cheaper and less crowded in winter. Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 15 Jan. 2025 What To Know On Friday, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported that about 1,300 Ukrainian citizens living in Poland, Denmark, Czechia, Germany, Lithuania and other European countries had applied to join the Ukrainian Legion. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
Other Nations' Drone Arsenals Replicator’s modest purchase is in contract to the European Drone Coalition which, on a similar timescale, is sending 30,000 FPV attack drones to Ukraine for $55 million – roughly ten times as many drones for roughly a tenth as much. David Hambling, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 As part of this, governments from California to Great Britain to the European Union are gradually reducing the percentage of ICE machines automakers can sell each year. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for European 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1555, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of European was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near European

Cite this Entry

“European.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/European. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

European

1 of 2 adjective
Eu·​ro·​pe·​an ˌyu̇r-ə-ˈpē-ən How to pronounce European (audio)
: of or relating to Europe or its people

European

2 of 2 noun
1
: a person born or living in Europe
2
: a person of European ancestry
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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