Himalayan

1 of 2

adjective

Hi·​ma·​la·​yan ˌhi-mə-ˈlā-ən How to pronounce Himalayan (audio)
hi-ˈmäl-yən,
-ˈmä-lē-ən How to pronounce Himalayan (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or resembling the Himalayas
2
: enormously large : mountainous
a task of Himalayan proportions

Himalayan

2 of 2

noun

: any of a breed of domestic cats developed by crossing the Persian and the Siamese and having the stocky build and long thick coat of the former and the blue eyes and coat patterns of the latter

Illustration of Himalayan

Illustration of himalayan

Examples of Himalayan in a Sentence

Adjective as military blunders go, the disastrous Pickett's Charge was of Himalayan proportions
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The extensive menu features indulgent treatments including an 80 minute Volcanic Earth Clay Ritual and a 50 minute Himalayan Salt Polish. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Police said in a statement that 31 people were still reported missing and 96 people were injured across the Himalayan nation. Binaj Gurubacharya, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2024 Instead, ascents on Nepal’s highest mountains, including those resulting in speed records, have historically been tracked by the Himalayan Database. Jayme Moye, Outside Online, 27 Sep. 2024 Getty Darjeeling rose out of the haze, a city strewn across the slopes and curves of the Himalayan foothills. Monisha Rajesh, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Himalayan 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Himalayan was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near Himalayan

Cite this Entry

“Himalayan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Himalayan. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Himalayan

1 of 2 adjective
Hi·​ma·​la·​yan ˌhim-ə-ˈlā-ən How to pronounce Himalayan (audio) him-ˈäl-(ə-)yən How to pronounce Himalayan (audio)
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the Himalaya Mountains

Himalayan

2 of 2 noun
: any of a breed of stocky blue-eyed domestic cats that have a long thick coat and a pale body with darker ears, paws, tail, and face

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