Malay

noun

1
: a member of a people of the Malay Peninsula, eastern Sumatra, parts of Borneo, and some adjacent islands
2
: the Austronesian language of the Malays
Malay adjective
Malayan
mə-ˈlā-ən How to pronounce Malay (audio)
mā-;
ˈmā-ˌlā-
noun or adjective

Examples of Malay 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.
Captain Lakshmi, as she became known, traveled the Malay Peninsula—up to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Ipoh—to not only marshal donations of jewelry but to convince girls and women to sign on for military training at the RJR’s Singapore camp. H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Apr. 2025 As with other hotels on the Malay Peninsula that are pushing the boundaries of wellness, the resort sees its program as a multidisciplinary endeavor — encompassing food and beverage, gym, in-room amenities, and its spa. Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025 In 1858, British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace wrote Charles Darwin a letter while burning with fever in a remote hut in the Malay Archipelago. Scott Travers, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025 What to order: The Malay Roll is ground chicken with tofu skin, fried and served with sweet and chili sauce for $8.95. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Malay

Word History

Etymology

obsolete Dutch Malayo (now Maleier), from Malay Mĕlayu

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Malay was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Malay. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

Malay

noun
plural Malays
1
: a member of a people of the Malay Peninsula and neighboring islands
2
: the language of the Malay people
Malay adjective
Malayan
mə-ˈlā-ən How to pronounce Malay (audio)
ˈmā-ˌlā-
adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on Malay

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