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Pacific Islander
noun
plural Pacific Islanders
: a native or a descendant of a native of one of the islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
Examples of Pacific Islander in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The scholarship provides Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists working in film and television with professional development resources and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025
Gabbard became the first highest-ranking Pacific Islander American government official.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Black and Pacific Islander patients were less likely to receive care than white patients.
—Alex Golden, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
That meant all activities related to Black History Month were banned, as were events marking Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, National American Indian Heritage Month, LGBTQ Pride Month, Women’s History Month, Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
1785, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Pacific Islander
Cite this Entry
“Pacific Islander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pacific%20Islander. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
Pacific Islander
noun
: a native or a descendant of a native of Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean
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